Pirates Defeat Astros

Duke solid in 5-2 victory

By RICH GIBSON, For The Intelligencer
PITTSBURGH — If the Pittsburgh Pirates are to eventually become factors in a pennant race, it is imperative their young pitchers show the way.

Left-hander Zach Duke is one such case in point. Since making a sterling major league debut in 2005, Duke has struggled to find consistency. He entered Wednesday night’s start against Houston with a career 23-29 record.

Both Duke and Bucs skipper John Russell were encouraged with the results of a 5-2 Pirates victory at PNC Park.

Duke worked a solid 7 2/3 innings to earn his third victory in seven decisions. The southpaw also benefited from an unexpected three-RBI contribution from 35-year-old, well-traveled catcher Raul Chavez. Nate McLouth and Adam LaRoche also drove in runs as the Pirates improved to 28-31 in their quest to reach or exceed .500 during a month in which they’ll play 19 times at home.

‘‘We’ve been fighting to get over that hump. Obviously, (Wednesday night) was a positive step forward,’’ said Duke, who delivered 106 pitches before being removed in the bottom of the eighth inning.

‘‘(Right from the start) I felt good warming up in the bullpen. My sinker ball was working well and Raul (Chavez) called a great game back there.’’

Russell echoed the thoughts of his winning pitcher.

‘‘Zach had great command. No question, he’s making progress,’’ Russell said. ‘‘(Tonight) was one of his best — if not his best outing of the season.’’

The Pirates are hopeful there’s more where that came from. In tonight’s rubber match of the three-game set, they send out lefty Paul Maholm (3-5, 4.74) who opposes Houston righty Brandon Backe (4-6. 4.54).

After yielding a solo home run to ex-Pirate Ty Wigginton in the top of the third, Duke was superb, allowing only an RBI single off the bat of Carlos Lee in the sixth.

The Pirates, meanwhile, rallied for three fourth-inning runs, highlighted by Chavez’s tie-breaking, two-run single.

‘‘I worked hard (at Triple-A) Indianapolis, both on my offense and defense,” Chavez said. “I’m just happy for the opportunity.’’

Jason Bay ignited the fourth inning with a sinking line-drive single which just eluded a sliding Lee in left field. After Xavier Nady was hit by a Roy Oswalt pitch, LaRoche hit a soft liner that glanced off second baseman Kaz Matsui’s glove into center field, scoring Bay.

‘‘The way it’s been going, I’m surprised he (Matsui) didn’t come up with the ball and turn it into a double play,’’ LaRoche said. ‘‘I feel I’m swinging the bat all right. I just need for some balls to start falling in, like that one did.’’

After Oswalt retired Jose Bautista, Chavez came through with his clutch two-out hit that plated Nady and LaRoche.

In the Pirates fifth, shortstop Jack Wilson, hitting in the leadoff position, singled up the middle.

Seconds later, Wilson was caught in a potentially fatal rundown before Houston first baseman Lance Berkman was called for interference. First base umpire Bob Davidson ruled Berkman impeded Wilson’s progress and awarded Wilson second base.

That proved fateful for the Astros when McLouth singled to score Wilson and extend Pittsburgh’s advantage to 4-1. Nady later singled but Houston right-fielder Hunter Pence gunned down McLouth at the plate.

After Houston pulled within two, LaRoche drew a leadoff walk in the eighth. Bautista successfully executed a sacrifice bunt prior to a wild pitch that sent LaRoche to third. Chavez then lined a sac-fly to center.

Damaso Marte pitched a scoreless third of an inning before Matt Capps closed it out, recording his 12th save.

‘‘We played reasonably well (15-13) in May and need to keep it up,’’ Duke said. ‘‘I think we’ve showed signs of turning the corner. Now, we just have to go out and execute.’’

Game Notes

LaRoche’s fourth inning hit broke an 0-for-18 slump. ... Duke lowered his ERA to 4.18. Oswalt, experiencing a rare off-season, dropped to 4-6 with a 5.38 ERA ... The Pirates will face one of the major’s premier pitchers Friday night when the Diamondbacks arrive for a four-game series. Arizona sends out Brandon Webb (10-2, 2.69) in the series opener with Ian Snell (2-5, 5.94) looking to get on track for Pittsburgh. ... Future Hall of Famer Randy Johnson (4-2, 3.88) is Arizona’s scheduled starter when the series concludes Monday afternoon at 12:35 p.m..