Morton leads Pirates to rare September win

ASSOCIATED PRESS

PITTSBURGH — Charlie Morton helped the Pittsburgh Pirates get an all-too-rare win in the closing days of another lost season.

Morton allowed one run in seven innings, helping the Pittsburgh Pirates win for only the third time in their past 20 games, 5-1 over the San Diego Padres Friday night.

Morton (4-8) had lost six of his past seven decisions and had a 7.13 ERA since the beginning of August but shook off a rough first inning Friday to allow only six hits and a walk.

“I think he’s gaining confidence a little bit, starting to feel a little more comfortable in what he’s doing,” Pirates manager John Russell said. “He’s young and we’ve got to continue to build off this.

“He has made very good strides. If we can get him a little more consistent game in and game out and maintain that, he’s going to be good. He has great stuff — if we can get him in the zone like he was tonight.”

Lastings Milledge went 2 for 3 with an RBI and Garrett Jones was on base three times for last-place Pittsburgh (56-89), which entered the game on a three-game losing streak and having lost eight of nine.

Earlier this season, the Pirates assured themselves of a 17th straight losing season.

Jesse Chavez and Matt Capps each pitched a scoreless inning to wrap up the Pirates’ first victory by more than one run since a 6-4 win against the Philadelphia Phillies Aug. 25.

Everth Cabrera went 3 for 4 and scored a run for the Padres, who have lost three of four after a stretch in which they went 9-3.

Late Thursday Athletics 5, Indians 2

OAKLAND, Calif. — Kurt Suzuki hit a three-run homer and the Oakland Athletics beat the Cleveland Indians

Adam Kennedy doubled twice and drove in a run for the A’s, who have won four straight and nine of 11. Clayton Mortensen (2-2) pitched five innings to win his second consecutive start.

Trevor Crowe tripled home a run and Michael Brantley added an RBI groundout for the Indians, who have lost five straight and nine of 10.

Mortensen (2-2) gave up two runs and four hits, struck out four and walked three.

Justin Masterson (4-8) lost his fourth straight decision, allowing five runs and six hits over four innings.