"There is something about the last-place Pittsburgh Pirates that brings out the worst in these Marlins.

Friday, it was starter Charlie Morton -- who pitched six scoreless innings of one-hit ball -- and a cast of unknown hitters who delivered the latest chapter of Marlins misery as the Pirates cruised to a 7-4 victory in front of 16,114 on a soggy Friday night at Land Shark Stadium.

The Marlins entered Fourth of July weekend holding onto at least a share of first place later than they ever had in club history. But much like the stormy weather, which produced an hour and 15 minutes worth of delays, the Pirates submerged that little piece of Florida history quickly by jumping all over Marlins starter Chris Volstad.

Morton, meanwhile, kept the Marlins' bats in check, helping put an end to a pair of hitting streaks by Hanley Ramirez and Emilio Bonifacio while sending Florida back into second place in the National League East.

''They pitch us tough,'' Marlins manager Fredi Gonzalez said. ``The four games this year, they've made the pitches when it counts. We had [Morton] against the ropes a couple different times, and we couldn't score any runs.''"