August 24
Pittsburgh Tribune Review
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It took five tries before Zach Duke notched his 10th victory of the season. By stifling the Cincinnati Reds, 12-2, on Saturday, Duke snapped a string of two losses and two no-decisions. His record improved to 10-11. Time to celebrate? Not quite. "It means I'm one under .500," Duke said with a shrug. True, but it also allowed Duke to match his career high for victories in a season. With seven or eight starts to go, he should easily set a new personal mark. "Hopefully, I can get over .500 in that span," he said. Duke joined Ross Ohlendorf (11-8) in the Pirates' double-digit-win club. That might not seem like much, until you consider the team leader last year was Paul Maholm ... with nine ..."
August 23
Pittsburgh Tribune Review
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This one had a Fam-a-lee feel to it. Tonight, with nearly all the living members of the 1979 World Series champs in attendance, the Pirates kept their five-game winning streak rolling by hammering the Cincinnati Reds, 12-2. The Pirates inched into fifth place in the NL Central, a half-game ahead of the Reds. It was the Pirates' most complete game in weeks - featuring clutch hits, a dash of power, some flashy defense, speed on the basepaths and a dominant pitching performance by Zach Duke. Just like back in the day, eh? "When we were there, and even preceding me, when you put on a Pirates uniform, there was an automatic (sense of) class," said Dale Berra, a former first-round draft pick and ..."
July 13
Pittsburgh Tribune Review
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Zach Duke arrived at Citizens Bank Ballpark on Sunday morning and was told Pirates manager John Russell wanted to speak with him. In Russell's office. Alone. "I was thinking, 'What did I do to get into trouble already?'" Duke said with a laugh. Russell, though, had good news. Duke was named to the National League roster for the All-Star Game, which is Tuesday night at Busch Stadium in St. Louis. "This is definitely a very welcome surprise," Duke said. "You dream of it, but it's hard to realize it's actually happening." Philadelphia Phillies manager Charlie Manuel, who will manage the NL team, chose Duke to replace San Francisco Giants pitcher Matt Cain, who Saturday was struck near his ..."
July 7
Pittsburgh Tribune Review
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Don't count left-hander Zach Duke among the list of All-Star snubs, at least not in his mind. "I don't think I should have made it, per se," he said. "But to be included in the discussions is definitely an honor. ... I'm happy with the first half I had." Duke is 8-7 with a 3.28 ERA and ranked fourth in the National League with 118 innings pitched. The Pirates averaged 1.1 runs in his seven losses. "Take about four of his games, if we score him any runs, I think he's a shoo-in because he's sitting there with 10 or 11 wins," manager John Russell said."
April 3
Pittsburgh Tribune Review
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Zach Duke has come to grips with 2005. During his debut season with the Pirates, the left-hander was practically bulletproof. Duke started with a five-game winning streak and finished with a flourish. Over the next three years, however, Duke lost more than twice as many games as he won. He battled injuries, struggled with revamped pitching mechanics and was forced to take a pay cut. The pitcher who once seemed to be the Pirates' future was instead being viewed as a flop. "That's kind of the curse of success," Duke said. "You have a good year and then don't necessarily back it up in the next couple of years, and you're always going to be compared to that one good season." Since his stellar ..."
May 29
Pittsburgh Tribune Review
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Because of a callus on his left middle finger, Zach Duke's next start will be bumped back a day to Friday.
"Two starts ago, he had three (calluses) pop up," pitching coach Jeff Andrews said. "Now, it's down to one."
Duke flips spots with lefty Phil Dumatrait, who will start today's series finale against Cincinnati."