Morton impresses former rotation mates during Braves' Alumni Weekend

ATLANTA -- Tim Hudson, Chuck James, Jo-Jo Reyes and Jair Jurrjens came to Alumni Weekend and enjoyed the chance to reminisce about 2008, when they were part of a Braves rotation that included Charlie Morton.

“I was standing there yesterday and he came up to me and I told him, ‘I remember when we were on the bench, watching all the old guys come in,” James said. “Now, we’re all the old guys, and he’s the last one standing.”

Morton impressed his old teammates while helping the Braves claim a 4-2 win over the Nationals on Saturday night at Truist Park. The 40-year-old hurler pitched effectively into the sixth inning, and benefited from Travis d’Arnaud’s game-winning single.

“It’s pretty incredible to see him do what [Morton] does at his advanced age,” Hudson said. “I tried to do it when I was 40, and it wasn’t nearly as good as what he’s doing out there. So, I tip my hat to him. I think it’s awesome.”

José Tena’s first career home run -- a two-run shot in the second -- accounted for the only runs Morton allowed over 5 2/3 innings. Orlando Arcia cut Atlanta’s deficit to one run with a two-out solo homer in the fifth. Matt Olson scored Whit Merrifield with a game-tying RBI double and then he crossed the plate himself on d’Arnaud’s decisive single. Ramón Laureano added a solo homer in the eighth.

The Braves have won nine of their past 12 games, including four of the five that have been played since they learned Austin Riley will miss the remainder of the regular season with a fractured right hand.

Consecutive wins over the Nationals have added to the jubilance felt during Alumni Weekend. Hudson became the senior member of the 2008 rotation after John Smoltz and Tom Glavine were both shut down by injuries. James also spent most of the season on the injured list. These ailments created opportunities for Reyes and Morton, who debuted on June 14.

“[Morton] was a soft-spoken guy, a quiet guy,” Hudson said. “He was steady Eddie. You knew what you were going to get every day, and he worked hard and he was a good teammate. I think that is one of the reasons he has stuck around as long as he has. People enjoy him being on the team.”

Morton was traded to the Pirates in 2009. He overcame injuries and struggles before finally realizing his potential as a 33-year-old hurler for the 2017 Astros. When his career finally took off seven years ago, all of his former 2008 rotation mates were already done.

Hudson retired after the 2015 season. Jurrjens threw his last big league pitch in 2014. Reyes went to Korea in 2013, and then ended his MLB career with one appearance for the Marlins in 2016. James’ shoulder problems in 2008 kept him out of the big leagues until he ended his career with eight relief appearances for the Twins in 2011.

“I know those guys were here and, to me, that’s meaningful,” Morton said. “You only have so many moments with guys that you care about and who mean something to you.”

Morton’s 4.24 ERA through 24 starts might not be impressive. But he has remained healthy and he produced a 2.65 ERA over his past three starts. He has recorded at least one out in the sixth in each of those three outings.

“You’ve got guys here today who are in their 40s and 50s, watching somebody who's in their 40s still chucking 95 [mph] with a nasty curveball and still getting young dudes out,” d’Arnaud said. “It's impressive.”

James has been in the home exterior business during his post-playing career, and one of his co-workers is Reyes, who moved back to the Atlanta area a couple of years ago, after spending some time as a police officer in California.

Nobody knows Morton as well as James. The two were part of the same 2002 MLB Draft class in which the Braves drafted Jeff Francoeur and Brian McCann. They were roommates during their Minor League years.

And when it came time for James and his wife, Julie, to share their first dance at their wedding, they chose a song ("Another Cold November") that was written and performed by Morton at the reception.

“Not many of us get to pick when we’re done playing,” James said. “He’s done awesome.”