"Manager Kirk Gibson is standing behind struggling left-hander Zach Duke, who has a 5.73 ERA through six starts after posting a 5.72 ERA through 29 starts last season.

Gibson, who told Duke the team is sticking with him after his outing on Friday night, says the lefty's struggles against right-handed hitters are the heart of his problem.

"I think he think it's somewhat mechanical, not being able to hit a spot," Gibson said. "Consequences against right-handers have not been good. I know (pitching coach) Charlie (Nagy) and Dukey went out and played catch and we've got four days in between his next start. He's going to work on it."

Both Gibson and Duke mentioned after Friday's game that it's still early in Duke's season, and Duke, who missed about two months with a broken hand, compared how he feels to coming out of spring training.

Duke's struggles aren't new. He has a 5.74 ERA in his past 46 starts dating to Aug. 4, 2009, the same year he was named to the National League All-Star team."