PITTSBURGH — Charlie Morton pitched five shutout innings and the Pittsburgh Pirates moved into first place in the crowded NL Central with a 2-0 win over the Cincinnati Reds on Monday night.
Pittsburgh kicked off an important two-week stretch by shutting down the Reds after Morton (8-5) extricated himself from a bases-loaded jam in the first inning following a lengthy rain delay to win for the first time since June 15.
The right-hander gave up three hits, striking out three and walking two. Joel Hanrahan pitched the ninth for his 27th save as Pittsburgh surged a half-game ahead of Milwaukee in the Central.
Dontrelle Willis (0-1) pitched well in his second start since being called up from Triple-A Louisville. The former All-Star surrendered two runs in 4 2-3 innings, striking out five and walking just one.