Morton is the first pitcher to hit 200 batters since ... 1927!

DETROIT -- Charlie Morton has pitched long enough to hit some milestones in his career. This wasn’t one the 41-year-old Tigers starter wanted, but it is historic.

When Morton’s sixth pitch on Friday night, a 1-1 curveball, hit Braves first baseman Matt Olson on his back foot, it marked the 200th hit batter of Morton’s career. Morton became the fifth pitcher in Major League history to reach the mark, but the first to pitch entirely in the Live Ball Era.

Morton entered Friday with 199 hit batters, by far the most among active Major Leaguers. The next-highest total belongs to a pitcher in the other dugout: Atlanta’s Chris Sale has 127. Just two other active pitchers -- former Tigers Justin Verlander (121) and Max Scherzer (114) -- are in triple digits.

Even during Morton’s younger years, hit-by-pitches were a frequent occurrence. He has hit double-digit batters in 12 of his 18 Major League seasons, including every year since 2017, aside from the shortened 2020 season.

Olson was the 14th batter hit by a Morton pitch this season. He was also Morton’s 111th career hit batter, when the then-Athletic was struck by the then-Rays starter on June 10, 2019.

Morton joins this list in the 200 hit-batter club:

277 - Gus Weyhing, 1887-1901
219 - Chick Fraser, 1896-1909
210 - Pink Hawley, 1892-1901
205 - Walter Johnson, 1907-1927

Morton’s milestone hit batter was part of a three-run, 34-pitch opening inning that included the first five batters reaching base safely. Morton followed the hit-by-pitch with back-to-back walks, including Drake Baldwin with the bases loaded, then allowed a two-run single from Ozzie Albies.

Morton’s 408th career start ended with one out in the second after Ronald Acuña Jr.’s two-run homer extended Atlanta’s lead to 6-0. Morton allowed six runs on five hits over 1 1/3 innings, walking two, striking out two and hitting one. It is tied for the ninth-shortest start of Morton’s career.