CINCINNATI -- Charlie Morton pitched seven shutout innings and second baseman Neil Walker hit a solo home run, lifting the Pittsburgh Pirates to a 3-0 victory over the Cincinnati Reds to earn them a split in the four-game series on a tense Sunday afternoon at Great American Ball Park.

Both benches cleared in the top of the eighth after Reds second baseman Brandon Phillips was hit by Pirates left-hander Tony Watson, an inning after Bucs center fielder Andrew McCutchen was plunked by Pedro Villarreal.

Reds center fielder Marlon Byrd tussled briefly with right-hander Joe Blanton as both teams postured in the infield.

Just as it appeared calm was restored, Reds third baseman Todd Frazier and Pirates third baseman Sean Rodriguez engaged in a shouting match causing the clubs to converge again.

No punches were thrown by two clubs which have a recent history of hit batsman.

Rodriguez, Byrd, and Reds first baseman Joey Votto were ejected.

In the ninth, Pirates closer Mark Melancon, looking to extend his saves streak to 32 straight, was ejected after hitting catcher Tucker Barnhart. Manager Clint Hurdle was ejected as well.

With runners on first and second, Joakim Soria replaced Melancon and retired the final two batters for his 34th save, first for the Pirates since being acquired from the Detroit Tigers on Thursday.

Left fielder Starling Marte added a two-run double for Pittsburgh (61-43), which improved to 4-9 this season against Cincinnati.

Rookie right-hander Keyvius Sampson made his first career start for Cincinnati (47-56) on Sunday, allowing three runs and three hits in five innings. He walked one and fanned six.

Sampson (0-1) got some big-league experience with one scoreless inning in relief on Thursday in which he had two strikeouts.

On Sunday, he retired the first seven batters he faced, striking out four.

Rodriquez's double down the left field line in the third ended a streak of 10 straight batters retired to begin Sampson's major league career.

Moments later, a two-run double to center by Marte drove home two runs, putting Pittsburgh ahead 2-0.

In the fourth, Walker led off with what appeared to be his second triple of the season. But following a one-minute, 25-second crew chief review, it was determined that the ball struck a railing in the stands before caroming on to the field.

It was Walker's 10th home run this season, putting the Pirates ahead 3-0.

Morton (7-4) was in control throughout, allowing just five hits and only two runners to advance past first base. He struck out seven through seven innings and did not walk a batter.

NOTES: Pirates 1B/OF Michael Morse, who was acquired from the Dodgers in exchange for OF Jose Tabata and cash on Friday, is expected to join the club on Monday. ... Reds 1B Joey Votto was given a day off on Sunday, marking just his second missed start in 103 games this season. Since the All-Star break, Votto leads the major leagues with a .491 average. ... On Sunday, Reds RHP Keyvius Sampson made the 51st start by a Reds rookie this season, most for them since 2001. It is the first career start for Sampson who debuted Thursday with a scoreless inning Rein relief.