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Pirates 7, Cardinals 4: Zach Duke Shines

If Zach Duke didn't quite resemble his 2005 self tonight, at least he resembled an above-average major league starter. He threw loads of strikes and mostly kept the ball down. He even had a few battles that looked a bit like the ones that were so much fun to watch in '05, when his velocity and location were good enough to really set up batters and disarm them with logic. In the last couple of seasons, he has mostly looked as if he were trying to throw a strike and hoping for the best, but tonight, his fastball was routinely in the low 90s, and it mostly looked as if he had a plan out there. He registered an extremely impressive three-pitch strikeout of Albert Pujols--all three were fastballs to different parts of the plate, and Pujols looked completely flummoxed by the third one. 

In all, Duke threw 92 pitches and pitched six and a third, with four strikeouts and only two walks. He also hit a double and had two sacrifices.

Offensively, the Pirates had the benefit of some good luck, with a number of hits that went just over the head of Cardinals shortstop Khalil Greene. But there was also a majestic homer by Nate McLouth, and five Pirates had at least two hits, including four each by Jack Wilson and Freddy Sanchez. And other than a weird passed ball by Ryan Doumit in which it looked like Doumit and Duke got their signals crossed, there weren't any defensive flareups. (Ramon Vazquez started at third in place of Andy LaRoche, which probably helped.) Good game. 

Slightly off-topic: Is it just me or does Vazquez, pictured here--

Xt

look a lot like Ryan Vogelsong

I'm not trying to jinx Vazquez or anything. Just asking. 

0 recs  |  Comment 12 comments |

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New guy, good game!!

I’d say the next called a good game. i like him… Buy anyway i was definatly impressed with duke’s velocity especially in the later innings. Good start Bucs!

1.God 2.Family 3.Bucs!! 4.Food

by Gfmotorsports on Apr 8, 2009 11:18 PM EDT reply actions   0 recs

What was that

Cardinals baserunning moronitude in the ninth inning? Glad to see someone besides us F one up for a change.

I don’t know if I can take 159 more of these.

Not without beer. Lots and lots of beer.

by bucdaddy on Apr 8, 2009 11:30 PM EDT reply actions   0 recs

Yeah. I’d say Tyler Yates owes Joe Thurston dinner or something.

by Charlie on Apr 8, 2009 11:35 PM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

and matt capps owes colby rasmus one too. it was very nearly 7-6.

by johnnycuff on Apr 9, 2009 12:54 AM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

gotta be impressed with duke, not only did i not reconize his performace, but he looks TOTALLY different, really did shed a lot of pounds in the off season, he looks great, hope he keeps it up

by PensRock1 on Apr 8, 2009 11:45 PM EDT reply actions   0 recs

Duke Just Knows How To Pitch

Doing it for the Pirates is a major challenge.

by thegunner on Apr 9, 2009 1:33 AM EDT reply actions   0 recs

Sign Russ Ortiz!

via Ken Rosenthaul

“The same executive says he was “totally shocked” by the improvement in right-hander Russ Ortiz, who looked the way he did in his best years with the Giants and Braves, giving every indication that he could be a quality No. 4 starter . . ."

I’m only half kidding if he can actually pitch. Still want to see more from Snell. O-dorf and Karstens haven’t pitched yet, but I’d pay 2 million for a shot at 500

by GTrain on Apr 9, 2009 8:30 AM EDT reply actions   0 recs

Sorry, I forgot its not 2004. He’d never get 2 million

by GTrain on Apr 9, 2009 8:41 AM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

Kind of off topic,

but I’m still in Boston and tickets to the Sox and Rays game just fell into my lap.

I’ve never been to Fenway before, so I’m pretty pumped up. Garza vs. Dice-K.

Go Rays.

by Suffering Buc on Apr 9, 2009 10:28 AM EDT reply actions   0 recs

Pretty cool, man.

Have fun. I’ve never been to Fenway, but always wanted to see it.

by Vlad on Apr 9, 2009 10:58 AM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

Same. Bought standing room tickets for the season ending series against the Indians. like 20$ each and standing room is supposedly a big party. Hoping the division/ wildcard is still up in the air.

by GTrain on Apr 9, 2009 11:23 AM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

great experience

saw a game there in June a few years ago before the RSOX became NYY north. It drizzled all game, was chilly, and my wife was with me and 6 mos pregnant. Had a great time anyway. You can now say that you saw a game at Fenway. Worth the price of admission and overpriced beer.

by BlassBalls on Apr 9, 2009 11:41 AM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

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