Pre-Game Notes

PITTSBURGH PIRATES (6-7) vs. MILWAUKEE BREWERS (8-6)
APRIL 19, 2007 AT MILLER PARK --- GAME #14, ROAD #10
LHP ZACH DUKE (1-1, 7.20 ERA) vs. RHP JEFF SUPPAN (1-2, 3.72 ERA)

TODAYS STARTER:
ZACH DUKE:
The 24-year-old lefthander is making his fourth start of the 2007 season today.
LAST START:
Zach allowed seven runs in 2.0 innings and lost an 8-5 decision to San Francisco’s Russ Ortiz Friday night at PNC Park...The Giants scored five first inning runs, including a bases loaded two-run double by Ortiz...One inning later, Duke served up a two-run home run to Barry Bonds, who went deep twice in the game.
FIRST START:
Duke was the Opening Day starter and received a no-decision in Pittsburgh’s 4-2, 10-inning victory in Houston on 4/2...He tossed 4.0 scoreless frames before surrendering a two-run homer to Luke Scott in the 5th inning...The Pirates scored once in the 9th to tie the game and twice in the 10th for the win.
IN SPRING TRAINING:
Duke went 0-2 with a 6.35 ERA in six Grapefruit League starts...He also threw 81 pitches while pitching in a minor league game against Baltimore’s Triple-A affiliate on 3/23 (6.0ip/6h/2r/2er/0bb/3so).
ON THE ROAD:
Zach has posted a 1-0 record and 3.46 ERA (13.0ip/5er) in his first two road starts this season...Last year he went 1-11 in 17 starts away from PNC Park.
DUKE-ING SOME K’S:
Duke struck out nine Milwaukee Brewers in his big league debut on July 2, 2005 at Miller Park...It was the most strikeouts by a Pirate in his major league debut since Tim Wakefield whiffed 10 batters on July 31, 1992 vs. St. Louis.
DUKE vs. MILWAUKEE:
2006:
2-1 with a 4.11 ERA (30.2ip/14er) in five starts...He received a no-decision in Pittsburgh’s 3-2 loss @Miller Park on 4/5, won a 14-3 decision (7.2ip/3er) against Doug Davis on 5/29 at PNC Park, lost a 12-8 decision (2.1ip/6er) to Davis on 7/24 at Miller Park, had a no-decision (6.2ip/2er) on 8/16 and won a 4-3 decision (8.0ip/2er) against Davis at PNC on 9/11.
CAREER:
3-1 with a 3.63 ERA (44.2ip/18er) in seven starts...He made his major league debut on 7/2/05 @Miller Park and received
a no-decision (7.0ip/3er).

TOMORROW'S STARTER:
TONY ARMAS:
The 28-year-old righthander will be making his second start of the season tomorrow night...His first start in a Pirates uniform was a 7-5 loss to Aaron Harang in Cincinnati on April 7 (4.0ip/8h/6r/6er/5bb/2so)...Went 2-1 with a 3.70 ERA in six games (five starts) during the Grapefruit League season...Was signed as a free agent on 2/1 after spending parts of eight seasons pitching with Montreal/Washington...Went 9-12 with a 5.03 ERA in 30 starts with the Nationals last year, his highest start total since a career-high 34 in 2001.
vs. LOS ANGELES:
0-1 with an 18.00 ERA (3.0ip/6er) in one start in 2006...He lost a 13-1 decision against Chad Billingsley at Dodger Stadium on 7/28 as a member of the Washington Nationals...He is 2-2 with a 5.16 ERA (29.2ip/17er) in six career starts against the Dodgers.

ALL-TIME RAWLINGS GOLD GLOVE:
Vote on the All-Time Rawlings Gold Glove Team. Roberto Clemente and Bill Mazeroski are on the ballot and need your support...Fans can continue to vote until June 19 at www.RawlingsGoldGlove.com.

TEAM NOTES:
Happy birthday to Bucco lefthander and this afternoon’s starter Zach Duke, who turns 24-yearsold
today.

ON THE D.L.:
Pitcher John Grabow (left elbow irritation - eligible on 4/7) is on the 15-day disabled list...He is currently with Triple-A Indianapolis on a rehab assignment and tossed a scoreless inning of relief in his first rehab appearance Saturday afternoon (0h/1bb/0so)...He made his second rehab appearance on Monday night at Norfolk and tossed 1.0 scoreless frame (2h/0bb/1so).

UPCOMING PITCHING MATCHUPS:
Friday at Los Angeles 7:40 PDT RHP Tony Armas (0-1, 13.50 ERA) vs. LHP Randy Wolf (2-1, 4.00 ERA) FSNP
Saturday at Los Angeles 7:10 PDT RHP Ian Snell (1-1, 1.80 ERA) vs. RHP Brad Penny (3-0, 0.89 ERA) FSNP
Sunday at Los Angeles 1:10 PDT LHP Tom Gorzelanny (2-0, 1.33 ERA) vs. RHP Brett Tomko (0-0, 1.64 ERA) FSNP

Through The Dugout:
Jose Bautista - Has hit safely in six straight games and has reached base safely in 12 of the first 13 games overall.

Jason Bay - Has hit safely in seven of his last nine games and in 10 of his 13 overall.

Jose Castillo - Started at second base (his first start since April 6) Tuesday in St. Louis and went 1-for-4 with a double.

Humberto Cota - Made second start/appearance on April 11 vs. St. Louis and went 1-for-3 with an RBI.

Chris Duffy - Went 2-for-4 with a double and RBI on Wednesday...Hit first home run Friday off San Francisco’s Russ Ortiz.

Brad Eldred - Lined out to second base in pinch hit appearance on Monday...Made last start (1B) on 4/11 vs. St. Louis.

Don Kelly - Flied out to right field in pinch hit appearance Wednesday evening in Milwaukee.

Adam LaRoche - Has started 12 of the first 13 games at first base (sat out April 11 contest with a stiff back).

Nate McLouth - Flied out to right field in pinch hit appearance Wednesday in Milwaukee.

Xavier Nady - Had a pair of RBI Monday night in St. Louis.

Ronny Paulino - Has started 11 of the first 13 games at catcher (did not play on 4/11 and on 4/7 in Cincinnati).

Freddy Sanchez - Has reached base safely in six of his seven games played...Went 2-for-3 with a triple Monday in St. Louis.

Jack Wilson - Has started all 13 games at shortstop...Went 2-for-3 with two runs scored Tuesday in St. Louis.

Through The Pen:
Jonah Bayless - Worked 1.0 scoreless frame Wednesday night in Milwaukee...Has allowed just three hits (6.0ip) in his seven appearances.

Matt Capps - Struck out each of the two batters he faced Tuesday in St. Louis...Was scored upon for first time Monday @St. Louis (0.2ip/1r).

Shawn Chacon - Pitched career-high 4.0 innings of relief Friday night vs. SF - only run allowed came on solo homer to Barry Bonds (5 K’s).

Damaso Marte - Allowed each of his two inherited runners to score in 0.2 innings on Wednesday...Has not allowed a run in his seven appearances.

Juan Perez - Allowed a hit to the only batter he faced (Prince Fielder) Wednesday in Milwaukee...Has made a total of seven appearances.

Salomon Torres - Has earned a save in five of club’s six wins...Picked up fifth save with a scoreless ninth inning Monday in St. Louis.

John Wasdin - Has been scored upon in each of his last three outings (2.1ip/5r)...Allowed two runs Wednesday night in Milwaukee.

Player Images from Pressbox on MLB.com
Complete Game Notes can be found at Presspass on MLB.com