Zach still remains winless at Miller Park in 11 starts, but in last night’s game he left with a 2 run lead in the 6th.  The bullpen wasn’t able to hold the lead as the Pirates lost 8-7 in extra innings to the Brewers.  Zach pitched 5 1/3 innings and gave up 4 earned runs.  You could tell Zach was struggling last night, but he got himself out of some jams and was able to keep the Brewers from blowing the game wide open.  Zach gave up 9 hits, while walking 1 and striking out 1.  He remained 6-12 on the season as he ERA rose to 5.17.  His next start will be Friday night against the Washington Nationals at home.

Boxscore

While he would have gotten the win had it not been for the seventh inning, Duke was not exactly sharp.

He allowed four runs on nine hits while walking one, recording one strikeout and surrendering a pair of solo home runs.

“It was definitely a battle from the first hitter on,” Duke said. “My location wasn’t very good and my stuff wasn’t all that great. Everything was giving me problems.”

The loss is the 12th straight on the road for the Pirates, and secures yet another road series loss for Pittsburgh. In 21 road series this season, including the current three-game set with the Brewers, the Pirates now have lost 16 series with just four series wins and one tie.

“It’s tough coming in here, but we battled with them tonight,” Duke said. “Hopefully we can get one tomorrow.”

SOURCE: pirates.com

Zach takes on the Brewers tonight for the 4th time this season.  His first 2 starts against them this year didn’t go so well, but the last time he faced them Zach pitched 6 innings and allowed only 2 earned runs.  Zach will be looking for his 7th win of the season, while hoping to end the Pirates’ 11 game losing streak on the road.  In 16 career games against the Brewers, Zach is 4-7 with an ERA of 6.10.  The game will begin at 7:10 eastern.  Let’s go Bucs and good luck Zach! (:

On Tuesday, August 24th, the Pirates hosted the annual 65 Roses Club Night at PNC Park before the game against the Cardinals.  The event benefited the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation and the fans who attended had the opportunity to meet Zach Duke, James McDonald, and Jeff Karstens.

Here’s a pic of Zach at the event taken by Erin

*For information on how you can join the club go here

This game had a similar sort of ring to it as compared to the last time Zach pitched against the Mets.  Both games had a pitcher’s duel between Duke and Santana and Zach and the Pirates got the win.  The only trouble Zach had in yesterday’s game was in the 1st inning when he allowed one run.  After that he was strong the rest of the way and out-dueled Santana.  It was Zach’s longest outing since his start on May 23rd against the Braves.  In 7 innings yesterday, Zach allowed 5 hits, while striking out 5, and walking only 2.  He improved to 6-12 on the season as the Pirates went on to win 2-1 with the runs being home runs from Milledge and Tabata.  Zach also lowered his ERA to 5.10 and his next start will be Saturday against the Milwaukee Brewers.

Boxscore

Photos from the game

Highlights of Zach’s win

“It’s good to see a well-pitched game and actually win one,” manager John Russell said. “We played an all-around good game.”

Duke, who entered the game winless in August, allowed a first-inning run before shutting down the Mets through his final six innings of work. He allowed just five hits, walked two and struck out five.

Key, too, was the fact that the lefty was finally able to avoid succumbing to the big inning.

“I really felt from the first inning on my location was good with all my pitches and I was able to mix them up,” Duke said. “The fact that I was able to bounce back after the run in the first inning really got the momentum in our favor.

“Then those two home runs were just huge for us,” he added. “Thankfully we were able to get the win that we needed.”

SOURCE: pirates.com

Left-hander Zach Duke (6-12) allowed only one run in seven innings to earn his first win of August, closer Joel Hanrahan got the save, and Lastings Milledge also homered for the Pirates.

The Mets scored in the first inning. Jose Reyes singled to extend his road hitting streak to 22 games and tie a club record. He advanced to second on a throwing error by catcher Ryan Doumit, stole third and scored on a sacrifice fly.

Duke – who has struggled with giving up multi-run innings – gave up a double and a walk but then got the final out. He struck out five and allowed only three more hits over the next six innings.

“I really felt from the first inning on my location was good with all my pitches and I was able to mix them up,” Duke said. “The fact that I was able to bounce back after the run in the first inning really got the momentum in our favor. Then those home runs were just huge for us.”

Duke said dueling it out against Santana gives him confidence that he’s working on the right things between starts.

SOURCE: Pittsburgh Tribune-Review

Zach looks for his first win in August today at 1:35 against the Mets.  He will also be looking to end the Pirates’ 5 game losing streak and also prevent the team from getting swept.  The last time Zach pitched against the Mets was in June of 2009 and he went 7 innings and allowed only 1 run.  His mound opponent that day was Johan Santana and they will be matching up again today.  Zach’s career ERA of 3.20 against the Mets is his best ERA against an NL team.  In 6 career starts, he has gone 3-1.  If Zach can eliminate the big inning, which has haunted him in a few of his most recent starts, and the offense can squeeze out just enough runs, he might be looking at his 6^th win of the season.  Let’s go Bucs and good luck Zach (:

Zach pitched 5 2/3 innings with 9 H, 4 K, 2 BB, and gave up 5 earned runs.  The game most likely would have been different if Diaz was able to turn the double play in the 5th and the offense was once again flat for the Pirates.  Zach dropped to 5-12 on the season and his ERA raised to 5.33.  Zach’s next start will be on Sunday against the New York Mets.

Boxscore

Photos

Interview

The big inning is a familiar foe of the Pirates and left-hander Zach Duke, and it did them in again Tuesday against the Florida Marlins at PNC Park.

Duke pitched four scoreless innings before giving up four runs in the fifth, and Marlins righty Ricky Nolasco struck out nine, as the Pirates were shut out, 6-0, before 14,156.

“It was tough,” said Duke, who fell to 5-12 on the season. “I started leaving the ball up and they made me pay. I’m just going to try to erase that one from my memory.”

The inning that killed Duke and the Pirates started with a walk to Wes Helms. Former Pirates catcher Ronny Paulino hit a grounder to Argenis Diaz, the 23-year-old making his sixth career major league start at shortstop in place of the injured Ronny Cedeno. It should have been an easy double play, but Diaz bobbled the ball and barely got the throw to first in time, putting Helms at second.

Duke allowed nine hits and five runs in 5 2/3 innings, the second-most runs he has allowed in seven starts since coming off the disabled list during the All-Star break. The fifth inning was his worst since a five-run fifth against St. Louis on Aug. 1.

“It’s hurting a little bit this year, getting those innings he can’t get out of,” Russell said of Duke. “He was going along pretty well until that inning.”

SOURCE: Pittsburgh Tribune-Review

Nolasco’s run-scoring single came during the Marlins’ four-run fifth. Duke issued a leadoff walk but induced a ground ball that looked like an easy double play — that is until shortstop Argenis Diaz fumbled it. Though Diaz was able to get an out at first, Florida’s Wes Helms moved into scoring position on the play.

“If we turn that it might have been a little different,” Russell said.

That’s because not only did Nolasco follow with his first hit, but his was the beginning of a string of four consecutive singles. The last was a two-run hit by Gaby Sanchez. Dan Uggla’s sacrifice fly then capped the inning in which Duke all of a sudden found his pitches falling flay.

“It was tough,” Duke said of the fifth. “I started leaving the ball up and obviously they made me pay for it. I’m just going to try to erase that one from my memory.”

The big inning has been no stranger to Duke (5-12) this season, as it has often been the primary reason for his starts turning sour. In eight of Duke’s losses, the left-hander has allowed at least three runs in one inning alone. In five of those eight instances, the opponent has scored four or more runs in one inning.

Is there a common denominator in that pattern?

“I think it varies from game to game,” Duke said. “Maybe the last game against the Padres it was bad selection to [Ryan] Ludwick. This one, it was execution. I just didn’t get the ball down where I wanted it. That led to my undoing.”

The Marlins tacked on one more run before the left-hander’s start was over. Again, though, the defense didn’t particularly aid Duke.

SOURCE: pirates.com

Tonight at PNC Park, Zach will take the mound looking for his first win against the Marlins in his career.  In 5 career starts against Florida, he is 0-3 with an ERA of 5.76.  Since the All-Star break, Zach has had 4 quality starts in 6 outings and has allowed 3 earned runs or less in 5 of those 6 starts with a record of 2-3.  Zach once again has been a victim of poor run support lately, so hopefully the Pirates’ offense can score enough runs for him to get his 6th win of the season.  The team looks for their 2nd consecutive win and to continue the Marlins recent losing streak.  Good luck tonight Zach and let’s go Bucs! (:

The Pirates, meanwhile, counter with the less spectacular but steadier Zach Duke. The 27-year-old left-hander has been solid in his six outings since returning from the disabled list in July 16 — turning in four quality starts and allowing more than three earned runs only once.

Duke was saddled with a tough-luck loss in a pitchers’ duel in his last start against the Padres on Thursday, but he was encouraged by his outing.

“It’s a loss, but I still feel pretty good about the way I pitched,” Duke said Thursday.

Bucs manager John Russell sympathized with Duke afterwards.

“He pitched good enough to win, but we couldn’t get anything going,” Russell said.

That has been a familar refrain for Duke this season, as he’s received more than three runs of support in only one of his nine road starts. Fortunately for the Bucs and Duke, however, they’ll be home again on Tuesday.

SOURCE: MLB Gameday

*Also today is the last day to vote for the Pirates in the Pepsi Refresh Project.  Make sure to get in your votes at http://mlb.mlb.com/sponsors/pepsi/refresh/y2010/?team=pit

The Pittsburgh Kids Foundation and the Players 4 Kids Team welcome all sports fans on Thursday, September 23, 2010, from 6:00 p.m. to 9:30 p.m., at the CONSOL Energy Center (the new home of the Pittsburgh Penguins) for the 6th Annual Players 4 Kids Gala – an unforgettable evening dedicated to encouraging and supporting disadvantaged kids in the Pittsburgh area.

The Players 4 Kids Team, created by the Pittsburgh Kids Foundation, includes Pittsburgh Pirates’ Zach Duke and Neil Walker, Pittsburgh Penguins’ Jordan Staal and Max Talbot, and many other present and former Pirates, Penguins and student athletes from the University of Pittsburgh.

Guests at the Players 4 Kids Gala will enjoy cocktails and hors d’oeuvres, dinner and a program, and a silent auction including autographed sports memorabilia, restaurant certificates and gift baskets. Guests can also participate in a live auction, which will include an Oakmont golf outing; a Park City, Utah “Get-Away” package; a “Pirates Experience” package; exquisite jewelry from Henne Jewelers; and more. The night will be emcee’d by Sean Casey, Upper St. Clair native and former Pittsburgh Pirate, who spends much of his time on charitable work in Pittsburgh and throughout the country.

Tickets are just $150 and can be purchased by calling 412-231-2353 or online at www.pittsburghkidsfoundation.org. Space is limited. For more information, contact Beth Henderson at 724-766-9416.

Zach was hoping for a strong outing in his 150th career start, and he indeed had one, but he would’ve liked a better final outcome.  Zach pitched 6 innings and allowed 3 runs to score, but only 2 were earned.  He also struck out 2 batters and walked 3.  Zach came pretty close to helping out his own cause in the 4th, but Miguel Tejada made a fine play to rob him of a hit.  The Pirates’ offense never got anything going in the game and they went on to lose 3-0.  Zach dropped to 5-11 on the season, but he lowered his ERA to 5.20.  Since the All-Star break, he has allowed 3 earned runs or less in 5 of 6 starts and has recorded 4 quality starts in that time as well.  Zach’s next start will be on Tuesday, August 17th against the Florida Marlins at PNC Park.

Boxscore

Photos

Video recap

Zach Duke lost his second decision in a row, with a no-decision against Colorado on Aug. 6 in between, against the Padres today. But his numbers – six hits and two earned runs allowed in six innings – were better than the three earned runs and 10 hits surrendered in six innings to Colorado and the six runs, seven hits in five innings against St. Louis on Aug. 1.

Duke had to know going in that run support would probably be minimal the way the Padres pitch. Deservedly so, Duke felt decent about the outing even with the loss.

“I feel consistent, I feel pretty good,” Duke said. “It’s a loss, but I feel pretty good about the way I pitched.”

Duke is now 2-3 with the no-decision since coming off the disabled list during the All-Star break (left elbow flexor strain).

SOURCE: Bucco Blog

Duke got 19 runs of support in his past four outings but not one yesterday.

Ludwick, who went deep twice on the Pirates on Tuesday to break out of a 22-game home run slump, homered for the third time with a ball that traveled over the 401-mark in left-center field.

“It was a decent pitch, he just got enough of it,” Duke said. “The Padres pitch extremely well so you know it’s going to be a battle. Unfortunately, we just came out on the short end again.”

SOURCE: Pittsburgh Tribune-Review

Wasting a quality start by lefty Zach Duke because of the offense’s inability to muster up any support, the Pirates fell, 3-0, at PETCO Park in front of 25,897.

“Unfortunately, we couldn’t give [Duke] any run support. He has been pitching really well, just hasn’t gotten the wins,” Alvarez said afterwards.

The sixth inning was Duke’s last, as his record fell to 5-11 even with his fourth quality start in six outings since returning off the disabled list. Duke allowed three runs (two earned) in all, the first coming off Miguel Tejada’s third-inning RBI double. Garland, who singled to lead off the inning, scored on the hit.

“It’s a loss, but I still feel pretty good about the way I pitched,” Duke said. “The Padres pitched extremely well this whole series. You know it’s going to be a battle, but unfortunately we came out on the short end.”

A lack of run support isn’t anything new for Duke, either, as he has received more than three runs in only one of his nine road starts all season.

“He pitched good enough to win, but we couldn’t get anything going,” Russell said. “As the game went along, both sides could see that it was getting tough to hit with the shadows. We knew we were going to have to get out early and we couldn’t get anything going.”

SOURCE: pirates.com

Video of little kids asking the players some questions.

Video from the Pirates’ 2010 Casino Night

Today in San Diego, Zach will take the mound just as he has every 5th day since his debut in 05, but this time it will be with a little more significance.  This game today will mark the 150th start of his career.  In 4 career starts against the Padres, Zach has an ERA of 3.58 with a record of 2-2.  The game will start at 3:35 PST (6:35 EST) on FSN Pittsburgh.  Both teams will be wearing throwback uniforms from 1978 to celebrate ’ Thursday Throwback.’  Good luck Zach and let’s go Bucs!

All eyes are on the Padres and the race in the National League West, but Pittsburgh starter Zach Duke also deserves some attention, too.

Duke will be make his 150th start on Thursday when he takes the hill against the Padres, after Paul Maholm made his 150th start on Sunday. The Pirates have never had a pair of teammates reach the 150-start milestone in the same season before. The last pair of teammates to reach their 150th start in the same season was Jon Garland and Mark Buehrle with White Sox in 2005.

Duke’s opponent Thursday? Garland.

SOURCE: MLB Gameday

*The picture above is from Zach’s 1st career start