Zach Duke News

Zach Duke pitches six innings in loss. PITTSBURGH - Pedro Martinez broke down crying in the visitors' dugout of this stadium two seasons ago, as his body betrayed him and rotator cuff surgery loomed.

Pirates southpaw Tom Gorzelanny, demoted to AAA Indianapolis following several ineffective starts, appears on a fast track to rejoining the Bucs' staff.

Over the past six weeks, Pirates left-hander Zach Duke has taken a big step backward.

The Pirates scored six runs over the final three innings today, including three in the ninth, to upend the New York Mets, 7-5. How they scored Mets first inning Jose Reyes singled and stole second.

For a pitcher, the only thing more deflating than allowing a two-out hit is when it's a run-scoring hit.

NEW YORK : Freddy Sanchez was held out of Pittsburgh's starting lineup with a sore right shoulder Monday, leaving the Pirates without their starting double-play combination against the Mets.

The scheduled start of the Mets' game with the Pirates at Shea Stadium today has been pushed back from 1:10 to 1:40 because of rain.

Excuse Zach Duke if he doesn't mind taking what was originally a day off to play the Mets, to make up for a rained out game scheduled for April 28.

Pre-Game Thoughts Brandon Webb leads the league in wins and is Top 10 in ERA, complete games, WHIP and whiffs.

It was not a bad pitch and, really, it was one no one should have been discussing.

Webb carried a shutout into the ninth but surrendered a leadoff double to Freddie Sanchez and an RBI single to Doug Mientkiewicz.

Counting Wednesday night's game against the Pirates, Garrett Atkins has started in all but five of the Rockies' 109 games this season.

Management can characterize it as it wishes, but when two-thirds of Major League Baseball's most productive outfield might be traded, as well as the only major league-caliber shortstop in the system, and two ...

Doug Mientkiewicz slides safely into second ahead of the tag by Colorado's Jeff Baker.

In victory last Friday, Aaron Cook celebrated becoming a father. In victory Wednesday, Aaron Cook likely saved his closer.

It is classic hindsight, of course, but perhaps the question should be asked: How different might the Pirates' 2008 season have gone if management had conducted a broader competition for the starting rotation? ...

The Pirates fell to the Padres, 6-5, in front of 25,727 fans at PNC Park on Friday night.

The Rockies' Aaron Cook endured a three-run first inning, but he quickly settled into a groove on Sunday afternoon.

Pittsburgh southpaw Zach Duke tries to end a seven-start winless skid tonight when the Pirates host the San Diego Padres in game two of a four-game series at PNC Park.

PADRES at PIRATES TV: None Radio: 1090-AM, 105.7-FM, 860-AM RHP CHA SEUNG BAEK vs.