Pirates Will Skip Morton’s Next Start

After last night’s beating at the hands of the Orioles, the Pirates have decided to skip Charlie Morton’s next start.  The right hander took the loss last night after allowing 6 runs in only 2 innings of work.

Pittsburgh has a pair of off days coming up next week that will allow them to skip Morton’s start without making a roster move.

Entering June, Morton had maintained a very impressive 2.51 ERA.  However, this month was not kind to the 27 year old.  Morton has bombed in June, allowing 17 earned runs in only 18 innings for a robust earned run average of 8.50.  Morton has lasted 4 innings or less twice already this month and has watched his ERA climb to 3.77 after yesterday’s contest.

The club feels that fatigue may be taking its toll on Morton, who has never logged more than 100 major league innings in one season.  He is approaching that mark, currently sitting at 86 IP, and manager Clint Hurdle and the Pirates decided it was time to give Morton a rest.