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Duke home debut sets off Buzz

piaa_umppiaa_ump5,000+ posts
From the Pittsburgh Post Gazette 7/7/05:

The Pirates' front office expects attendance of roughly 20,000 tonight for the series finale with the Philadelphia Phillies, more than usual for a weeknight. And this without the lure of bobbleheads or fireworks.

It might well be that some folks are interested in catching Zach Duke's Pittsburgh debut.

"I'm very excited," Duke said yesterday. "I hear they're expecting a good crowd. I'm not sure if that's for me, but it will be a lot of fun either way. I'm looking forward to it."

Duke's home debut was sure to cause somewhat of a buzz under any circumstance, given his remarkable minor-league career. But his performance in his first major-league start Saturday in Milwaukee -- he allowed three runs and struck out nine in seven innings of a 5-3 loss to the Brewers -- likely added to that.
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MN-MomMN-MomHSBaseballWeb Owner
WOOHOOOOOOOO, ZACH!!! I was out for a while but just checked Gameday - In Zach's home debut, after 7 innings he has a shutout going!!! 7 innings, 6 hits, NO RUNS, 1 BB, 8 Ks!!!! Way to go, Zach!!
applaude applaude applaude applaude applaude applaude applaude

Update: Relief pitcher Grabow replaced Zach to start the 8th inning, Pirates leading 2-0. I hope the bullpen hangs on for Zach's first MLB win!!!
Last edited by MN-Mom
PAmomPAmom1,000+ posts
Well, I COULD have been there in person, but my hubby auctioned off the tickets he was offered to his employees...GRRRRRRRR again!

I DID, however, watch the entire, exciting, remarkable game on FSN Pittsburgh. AMAZING control and poise (Zach now has a 17-2 strikeout to walk ratio! Astounding!) in one so young. The Pirate broadcasters interviewed a beaming, grateful (and OH SO ADORABLE!) Zach Duke just after he left the game with Grabow trying to hold it for him in the background in the top of the 8th. Pittsburgh is OBVIOUSLY very taken by this soft-spoken, humble young man---21,000 fans showed up in the middle of the week for a team that's struggling to stay out of last place---just to see HIM! Fans were chanting, "Duke, Duke!" when he left the mound for the dugout in the latter innings!

OPP---what a Major League son you've raised! Zach's performance was stellar...his demeanor just awesome. PROUD for YOU! clap clap clap
Last edited by PAmom
W windmill100+ posts
I watched the game on Philly Comcast - hated to see my Phils get beat, but the kid did great - all the Philly announcers were raving about him throughout the game, as did Marzano afterwards. He gave up 5-6 extra base hits and no runs - that showed tremendous poise, as far as I am concerned -- only walk was in the 7th, i beleive - so there was no damage on the XBHs - excellent job he did - congrats to all..

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