Pirates SP Zach Duke worked six innings Friday at St. Louis and gave up three runs, two earned, and five hits. He walked one and struck out two, falling to 2-4 despite a decent performance. Duke's start was pushed back a day because of a callus on his left middle finger. He allowed hits to three of the first six hitters before settling in. "I'm glad I kept us in the game," Duke said. "At the same time, I didn't pitch well enough to win."

The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports that the Pirates have pushed back SP Zach Duke's start a day to Friday because he is dealing with a callus on his throwing hand. Phil Dumatrait will now move up a day and pitch Thursday in St. Louis.

Pirates push back Duke's start

Pirates SP Zach Duke pitched only four innings in his third loss of the season Friday against the Cubs, after allowing 10 of the Cubs' 18 hits and five runs, four earned. He struck out one and walked none. He allowed four earned runs in his last start Saturday against the Cubs, but he pitched 6 1/3 innings that time.

Zach Duke, who won his previous two starts, gave up four runs and eight hits in 6 1/3 innings Saturday in a no decision at Chicago. He struck out four batters and walked one.

Pirates SP Zach Duke (2-2) shook off five walks and three errors behind him to limit Atlanta to five hits over six shutout innings, as the Pirates won their season-high sixth in a row Monday, 5-0 over the Braves. Duke, who struck out three, was constantly in trouble, with at least two runners reaching in all but one inning, but he got key outs when he needed them while stranding 10 runners. Before Monday, the left-hander hadn't won successive starts since beating the Brewers and Mets, respectively, on Sept. 11 and 17, 2006.

Pirates' Duke goes six scoreless for win

In an eight-game week, the Pirates will go with Zach Duke and John Van Benschoten in Monday's doubleheader. Phil Dumatrait will pitch Tuesday, followed by Paul Maholm, Ian Snell and Tom Gorzelanny. Duke and Dumatrait will work Saturday and Sunday as two-start pitchers.

Braves-Pirates postponed due to rain

Pirates SP Zach Duke was winless in six starts this season and 12 games since June 12 before taking a shutout into the seventh inning Tuesday against the Giants. He lost that on Daniel Ortmeier's RBI double, and wound up being charged with three runs on eight hits over 7 1/3 innings -- his longest start since he lasted eight innings in a 3-0 win over the Mets on Sept. 17, 2006. He walked three and struck out three.

Duke earns first win

Pirates SP Zach Duke is still in search for his first win after Thursday's no decision against the Nationals. His major miscue came in the second inning, when he threw a pitch over the fat part of the plate to the No. 8 hitter on a 2-0 count with two men on base and first base empty. Wil Nieves deposited the pitch into right-center for a two-run single that scored Lastings Milledge and Austin Kearns. Duke's seven innings matched his longest start of the season. He allowed five hits with two walks and one strikeout.

Duke has strong outing