News
Morton can rebound in post-break start
Pittsburgh (39-50) vs. San Francisco (49-40), 7:05 p.m. ET
By Wayne Staats / MLB.com
07/18/09 1:10 AM ET
PITTSBURGH -- Charlie Morton wanted to take time to rest, but relaxing in bed all day wasn't the answer, either. Morton, who hasn't started since July 8 thanks to the All-Star break, returns to the mound Saturday as the Pirates play the Giants at PNC Park. "It's just doing the things that you normally do between a start and at the same time take advantage of the break that we had and get some rest," Morton said. "It's not really anything drastically different. Maybe just stay active and not spend all day in bed." The main alteration in his latest preparation between starts came on the fifth of nine days of rest on Monday, which would've normally been his next start. But with the Home Run Derby that day and the Pirates off, Morton decided to not throw. An unusual amount of rest days is nothing new for Morton, who has seen the normal four days of rest between starts just twice this season. Of Morton's five starts this year, four have come on the road. His lone start at PNC Park came June 28 against the Royals. He gave up three runs in five innings for his first loss this year. After lowering his ERA to 2.65 heading into the July 8 start, Morton surrendered five runs in just four innings as his ERA shot up to 4.29. But in his other starts -- not taking into account his first, which lasted one inning because of a hamstring injury -- Morton has given up five runs in 16 innings. The 6-foot-4 righty admitted a long layoff following a poor start can be a little difficult. "It can be tough, but I just try not to dwell on it and use what I learn from that and take it into the next outing," Morton said. "When you have a bad outing, there's no reason to have a major overhaul. If it gets to the point when you consistently have bad outings, then maybe you change something." San Francisco will be the first National League West team Morton sees twice in his career. He gave up three runs in six innings in his only other start against them, which was last season while he was with the Braves. What will be newer for Morton than pitching against the Giants will be having Ryan Doumit as his catcher. The two haven't worked together in a game or during practice. In fact, the first time won't be until Doumit catches Morton's warmup tosses in the bullpen before Saturday's game. But the pair doesn't foresee any problems. "I'm not really worried about it," Doumit said. "It's one of those things where you might watch some video on him and you might ask him pregame what he's working with." Pitching matchupPIT: RHP Charlie Morton (1-2, 4.29 ERA)
Morton blamed his struggles last time out on both pitch selection and location. He made it through the Astros' order once without being hurt, but he would eventually be chased after allowing 10 hits and five runs in only four innings. When he's on, Morton has movement to his pitches that is better than anyone on the staff. Still, there are some growing pains to be expected as Morton continues to try and harness some of that movement. SF: LHP Barry Zito (5-9, 5.01 ERA)
Giants manager Bruce Bochy planned to shift his rotation after the All-Star break, and he's done just that. With Randy Johnson on the DL (strained throwing shoulder), Zito slides into the No. 2 role, in between All-Star hurlers Tim Lincecum and Matt Cain. Maybe that will force Zito to pick up his game. Sunday against the light-hitting San Diego Padres, the lefty allowed nine earned runs on 10 hits over 4 1/3 innings. He hasn't pitched past the sixth inning in six of his past eight starts. Zito lost his lone start against the Pirates in 2008. Bucs bits
With his scoreless ninth inning Friday night, reliever John Grabow moved into a tie with Salomon Torres for the most games pitched at PNC Park with 188. ... Garrett Jones has hit safely in nine straight games. ... The Pirates have won nine of their past 12 against the Giants. Tickets
Buy tickets now to catch the game in person.
On the Internet
MLB.TV
Gameday Audio• Gameday
• Official game notes On television
• FSN-HD On radio
• WPGB-FM 104.7 Up next
• Sunday: Pirates (Zach Duke, 8-8, 3.29) vs. Giants (Matt Cain, 10-2, 2.38), 1:35 p.m. ET
• Monday: Pirates (Ross Ohlendorf, 7-7, 4.64) vs. Brewers (Mike Burns, 2-2, 5.54), 7:05 p.m. ET
• Tuesday: Pirates (Virgil Vasquez, 1-3, 6.52) vs. Brewers (Braden Looper, 8-4, 4.95), 7:05 p.m. ET
Wayne Staats is an associate reporter for MLB.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.
