Morton, Pirates subdue Astros

Photo by: Gene J. Puskar

AP

Photo

Pittsburgh Pirates third baseman Brandon Wood (2) leaps for a high throw from center field as Houston Astros' Carlos Lee slides safely into third during the eighth inning of a baseball game in Pittsburgh, Sunday, May 8, 2011. Lee advanced to third on a errant pickoff throw by Pirates pitcher Daniel McCutchen. The Pirates won 5-4.

Associated Press

PITTSBURGH

The Charlie Morton that seemed at such a loss on the mound in 2010 has been replaced by a relaxed and confident right-hander this season.

A year after going 2-12, Morton is having fun.

It shows.

Morton took a shutout into the eighth inning, Lyle Overbay homered and the Pittsburgh Pirates won for the fourth time in six games, 6-1 over the Houston Astros on Saturday night.

Morton (4-1) worked 72/3 innings while allowing seven hits and one run to win consecutive starts for the first time in his career. Morton has already doubled his win total from last season.

“When my mechanics are right, I can throw all my pitches for strikes,” Morton said. “Not just the sinker, but the curveball and the changeup and everything.”

Morton left it to a warm ovation from the crowd of 32,299 — PNC Park’s largest since opening day.

That was quite the contrast from last season, a year after he was the centerpiece of a trade for popular outfielder Nate McLouth and started 0-5 with a 12.57 ERA over the season’s first month. Pittsburgh was 2-15 in games he started last season.

“I sort of tipped my cap. I didn’t know what to do,” Morton said. “I’m not used to getting that kind of ovation from such a big crowd.”

Overbay hit his second home run of the season during the second inning, when Pittsburgh scored all it needed off of Bud Norris. Andrew McCutchen added a two-run double later in the inning, one of his team-high two hits.