Mar 24, 2023; Sarasota, Florida, USA; New York Yankees infielder Oswaldo Cabrera (95) celebrates with teammates after he hit a 3-run home run against the Baltimore Orioles during the first inning at Ed Smith Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports
Marcell Ozuna contributes three RBIs, while Charlie Morton limits his former team to just three hits in a 6-1 Atlanta Braves victory over the Pittsburgh Pirates
Marcell Ozuna drove in three runs with a double when the bases were loaded in Atlanta’s third inning, where they scored five runs. Charlie Morton, who once played for Pittsburgh, only allowed three hits to his former team as the Braves defeated the Pirates 6-1 on Friday night.
Morton, aged 40, now has wins against every team in the major leagues with his first victory over the Pirates. He played for Pittsburgh from 2009 to 2015. The right-hander pitched 6 1/3 innings without allowing any runs and struck out seven batters.
“Pittsburgh has always held a special place for me,” Morton said. “I spent seven seasons there and went through many ups and downs.”
Austin Riley hit his ninth home run, including six in the last 14 games. The Braves scored six runs in four innings against Martín Pérez (1-4), who returned to the mound after being on the injured list since May 27 due to a left groin strain.
The highlight for the Pirates came in the eighth inning when Bryan Reynolds extended his hitting streak to 24 games with a single up the middle off Jesse Chavez. It is the longest hitting streak in the majors this season and the longest for a Pittsburgh player since 2003.
Morton (5-4) was impressive in only his second start ever against Pittsburgh.
