Pirates tighten Central Division gap as Morton leads shut out against Giants

(AP) – The Pittsburgh Pirates can’t alter the course of history by traveling back in time to the first night of October, when the San Francisco Giants rolled to a wild-card win at PNC Park that started their march to a third World Series title in five years.

“Blanco hit it arduous”, Bochy stated. “Their man (Morton) was actually good”. Hitters were looking for the fastball, and the low-80s curveball provided separation in speed. We just couldn’t generate any offense. San Francisco has lost three of the first four games on its critical trip against the top two National League teams record-wise, the St. Louis Cardinals and Pirates.

Bumgarner chose a good time for his surge. “It really makes it a challenge to square him up”. Gregory Polanco reached base to lead off the inning however was erased from the basepaths by a ranging Brandon Crawford who shoveled the ball over to Kelby Tomlinson at second base to get an out on the play.

Neil Walker was more impressed by his team’s starting pitcher than his home run.

“I’m just working with my hitting coach and sometimes you don’t have hits because you do something wrong”, Marte said. “Obviously giving up the homer there in the sixth put us behind the eight-ball there”. The right-hander gave up four hits, struck out seven and walked one while lowering his ERA to 2.30. “The end leaves a bad taste in my mouth but I feel like I did pretty well, I just wished I had closed the door”.

A double by Jung Ho Kang that one-hopped to the Clemente Wall scored Starling Marte in the third inning.

The Pirates (72-47) moved a season-high 25 games over.

When they outhit their opponents, the Giants are 57-9.

Pirates: 3B Josh Harrison (torn left wrist ligament) and SS Jordy Mercer (sprained left knee) could return from the disabled list sometime during the four-game series that ends Sunday, according to manager Clint Hurdle…. 1B/OF Corey Hart (left shoulder impingement/right knee discomfort) began a rehab assignment with Triple-A Indianapolis.

Before the game, a praying mantis chose to get up close and personal with Giants outfielder Juan Perez. Center fielder Angel Pagan is on the DL with knee tendinitis. He has the experience, and he’s played in pennant races. “Power comes and goes but I think up and down our lineup we have guys who can”.

The 37-year-old Byrd hit. It also gave the team 19 home runs in their past 14 games.

Tigers 4, Rangers 0 • Alfredo Simon threw a one-hitter in his first career complete game and Detroit beat visiting Texas in a matchup of AL wild-card contenders.

Desmond Jennings got two hits for Tampa Bay and drove in the lone run with a single in the fourth off Collin McHugh (13-7). The Pirates are also 7-1 in Morton’s last 8 home starts with the total set at 7.0-8.5 and are 7-1 in his last 8 home starts.