ANAHEIM — Charlie Morton’s had his fair proportion of struggles on the mound just lately, however it appears to be like like he took one other step in the suitable path by permitting only one run on two hits together with seven strikeouts in Sunday’s 3-1 win over the Angels at Angel Stadium.
Morton constructed on his high quality begin towards San Francisco for his second consecutive strong outing after giving up eight earned runs to Milwaukee on Aug. 8. He crucially bought off to a quick begin by hanging out the aspect within the first inning, setting the tone for a no-hit bid by means of 4.
“I believed in San Francisco and in the present day, my arm was working properly,” Morton stated. “Stuff’s good, beginning to see a few of the swing and miss that I normally have. … The previous couple, I’ve felt form of like myself once more.”
All of it got here dangerously near unraveling within the fifth when Morton gave up a leadoff single, then a stroll, and one other single to load the bases with no outs. Morton hit Angels middle fielder Mickey Moniak within the foot with a curveball, bringing within the Halos’ first run and trimming the Braves’ result in one.
However then Morton drew a popup from Michael Stefanic to get the primary out of the inning. He bought Taylor Ward to floor right into a double play, and the Braves escaped the fifth inning with the lead intact.
“He’s wonderful, that ball’s nonetheless popping out fairly good,” Braves supervisor Brian Snitker stated. “He bought in a bit of bind there and had the wherewithal to get by means of it. It was superior.”
Angels supervisor Ron Washington, a former assistant coach for the Braves, tipped his cap to Morton’s begin and acknowledged his youthful gamers have been fooled on the plate.
“I do not assume these guys on our membership have seen that form of spin earlier than,” Washington stated. “And he was spinning. He used his fastball. He was utilizing it in. He was utilizing it up and away, after which he was spinning it. I simply do not assume they’ve seen that form of spin.”
Ramón Laureano, whom the Braves acquired on the Commerce Deadline, had an enormous day offensively. His lengthy solo residence run within the fourth inning was an essential insurance coverage run for his pitchers.
The Braves prolonged their lead within the NL Wild Card race over the Mets to 2 video games, however it might have come at a value.
Third baseman Austin Riley left the sport after being hit within the hand/wrist space within the first inning. He instantly reacted to it by doubling over and grabbing his hand. Riley stayed within the recreation and took his base, however was subbed out for Luke Williams within the backside of the primary. Snitker stated X-rays and CT scans on Riley got here again inconclusive. He’ll endure additional testing when the Braves arrive in Atlanta on Monday.
“I stated, [expletive],’” Laureano instructed reporters about his response to seeing Riley get hit by the pitch. “I simply hope nothing occurred, we’ll see what’s happening.”
The Braves return residence to host the division-leading Phillies on Tuesday for a three-game collection, and whereas Atlanta is seven video games behind Philadelphia and within the thick of the Wild Card race, Morton isn’t letting the second get too far forward of him. He’d somewhat focus his power on his supply and take all the things one pitch at a time.
“For me, [every start] is essential,” Morton stated. “There’s a bit of extra power within the ballpark late within the season, September, once you’re going through a divisional rival or one thing like that. You’ll be able to form of really feel that, however I’m probably not considering like that.”
