Pirates left-hander Zach Duke came back down to earth today, landing with a thud in an 11-1 loss against the Atlanta Braves.
Duke (2-1) went six innings and served up six runs on 12 hits, including a three-run homer by Martin Prado. The rough outing pumped up Duke's ERA from 0.59 to 2.95.
In the seventh inning, reliever Craig Hansen was torched for four runs on two hits, including a three-run shot by David Ross.
In 15 1/3 innings over his first two starts, Duke had allowed a total of three runs. Yesterday, the Braves scored three runs after two outs in the first inning.
With Chipper Jones at first base, Garret Anderson doubled to left field. Jeff Francoeur lined a two-run single up the middle and took second base on the throw to the plate. Casey Kotchman followed with an RBI single.
Duke was behind in the count 3-1 against Anderson and 2-0 against Francoeur. Kotchman hit a 2-2 pitch.
Duke and Hansen struggled to close out innings as well as put away batters. Ten of Atlanta's runs scored after two outs.
The Pirates squandered their one chance against righty Javier Vazquez (1-1).
Nyjer Morgan and Freddy Sanchez began the sixth with back-to-back singles. But Nate McLouth lined out, Ryan Doumit flew out and Adam LaRoche struck out looking.
In six innings, Vazquez allowed five hits, walked one and struck out eight. He threw 98 pitches, 71 of them for strikes.
The Pirates scored their run in the ninth when Ramon Vazaquez was hit by a pitch with the bases loaded.
