"If this was Zach Duke's final start for the Pirates, it was an unfortunately fitting summation for how the past half-decade has gone.

Nine runs in four innings.

Eight hits and three walks for 11 base-runners.

Mix in the usual lousy luck, with three errors causing five of those runs to be unearned.

Bottom line, maybe for good: By the time the Pirates fell to the Florida Marlins, 11-9, Thursday night at Sun Life Stadium, Duke's line for 2010 would be an 8-15 record and 5.72 ERA. Both figures are tied for second worst among all starters in Major League Baseball, and his .321 opponents' batting average is the worst by far.

"It's ... I don't know what to say," Duke said. "It's obviously been frustrating."

Duke, 27, has gone 45-70 with a 4.54 ERA in 159 starts with the Pirates, highlighted by a rookie run that drew national attention and a 2009 All-Star berth. But his performance has made it immensely unlikely that the team will tender him an offer through arbitration, a process that virtually would guarantee a raise on his current $4.3 million salary. If he gets no such offer, he would become a free agent.

Had it crossed his mind that he might have pitched his final game for the only team he has known?

"I don't know," he replied. "Obviously, I performed at a level that could merit firing. So, if that happens, it's out of my control."

Would he like to return?

"Of course. I enjoy these guys, and I enjoy the city of Pittsburgh. Like I said, it's not my choice to make."

Two errors were by third baseman Pedro Alvarez and one by shortstop Ronny Cedeno, leading to another in an endless series of worsts for these Pirates: They now have 124 errors, tied with the Washington Nationals for most in the majors, and their .979 fielding percentage dropped to last.

In 2009, the Pirates were No. 1 in fielding percentage, meaning they have made the most precipitous fall possible."