Game 140 Recap-
Veteran LH Zach Duke pitched a 6 hitter and a small earthquake rocked the Bay area, as the Pittsburgh Pirates defeated the San Francisco Giants, 7-0. The quake occured around 9 pm and was strongest about 30 miles East, the good news? No major injuries, building collapses,etc. LF Brandon Moss drove in 3 runs while 1b Adam Laroche added 2 to lead the Pirates.
Duke(5-13,4.87) was the story of this game, plain and simple. Earning his first win in 15 starts(defeated Arizona on June 9th), he struck out 4 and walked 2 for his 3rd career complete game and second shutout.”Obviously it’s been an interesting year for me, but I’m never going to be someone to roll over and give up,” Duke said. “I’m always going to work my butt off. This is a pretty gratifying game for me.” Duke has not pitched as poorly as his record would indicate, in 2 of his last 3 starts, the Pirates did not score. “He’s shown some good signs all year that he’s capable of throwing the ball well,” Pirates manager John Russell said. “Some of his starts it’s been that one inning, which he was able to avoid tonight. I’m sure it’s a little bit of a relief for him that he got it out of the way.”
The Pirates, who have won 7 in a row vs the Giants, scored against all 4 San Francisco pitchers. Laroche’s 2nd inning double and Moss 5th inning 2 run triple plated the only non-sacrifice fly runs of the game. CF Nate McLouth and C Ryan Doumit scored 2 runs apiece.
Star of the Game-
Duke- Last 3 weeks of year could be big for his 2009 season, needs to carry this over into the offseason.
Pirates Notes-
Team set a franchise record with 4 sacrifice flies…Duke’s losing streak was the longest for the Pirates since Jose Deleon’s 11 game spin in 1985… Doumit was 4 for 5, while 2b Freddy Sanchez, McLouth and Adam Larouche added 2 apiece… Rookie Brian Bixler started at SS for Jack Wilson(finger injury) and was 1 for 5 with a run scored.. Duke won his 1st road game since May 27,2007 vs the Cincinnati Reds…Team has a streak of 20 consecutive shutout innings at AT&T Park
Next Game-
Game 2 of 3 game series at Giants
Pirates LH Paul Maholm(8-8,3.81) vs Giants RH Matt Cain(8-11,3.69)
