Published November 20, 2014
Zach Duke threw six solid innings to help the Pittsburgh Pirates snap a four-game skid Tuesday night with a 4-2 win over a reeling Colorado Rockies team that lost Huston Street to a freak injury before the game.
The Rockies returned home from a disastrous 2-9 road trip and dropped their seventh straight contest. They were without their standout closer after Street bruised the right side of his abdomen when he was hit by a line drive as he warmed up in right field during batting practice.
Street was taken off the field by ambulance, examined at a local hospital and sent home to rest. His availability will be on a day-to-day basis.
Duke (5-9) picked up the win for a second straight outing, something that hasn't happened for the lefty since his first two starts of the season. He gave up three hits and struck out four.
Evan Meek worked out of trouble in the seventh, stranding Miguel Olivo at third after he led off the inning with a double. Joel Hanrahan pitched the eighth and Octavio Dotel finished the ninth for his 21st save in 26 appearances.
The only bad frame for Duke came in the fifth when he surrendered back-to-back homers to Brad Hawpe and Clint Barmes.
Hawpe, who was making just his third start at first base, drilled the first pitch from Duke into the seats in left. Three pitches later, Barmes delivered one to almost the exact same spot.
It's the fourth time this season the Rockies have hit back-to-back homers.
Garrett Jones broke a 2-all game with an RBI double in the sixth and Neil Walker provided some insurance in the eighth with a solo shot.
The injury to Street dampened the return of All-Star shortstop Troy Tulowitzki, who has been sidelined for nearly six weeks with a broken left wrist.
Although Tulowitzki had a rough day at the plate, going 0 for 4, he showed there was nothing wrong with his rocket right arm. The slick-fielding Tulowitzki went deep into the hole and made an off-balanced throw to nip Ronny Cedeno in the second.
Jorge De La Rosa (3-3) settled down after a shaky start, going seven innings and allowing three runs — two earned. De La Rosa remains winless in four starts since coming off the disabled list with a torn tendon in his left middle finger.
The Pirates pounced on De La Rosa in the first, pushing across two runs. Andrew McCutchen led off the game with a double and scored on an RBI single by Jose Tabata.
De La Rosa almost worked his way out of more trouble after Tulowitzki turned a double play. But De La Rosa then bounced a pitch to home, allowing Tabata to score from third.
NOTES: The Pirates recalled RHP Steven Jackson and purchased the contract of LHP Wil Ledezma from Indianapolis. ... To make room for Tulowitzki, the Rockies designated 1B Brad Eldred for assignment.
https://www.foxnews.com/sports/duke-throws-6-solid-innings-helping-pirates-end-four-game-slide-with-4-2-win-over-rockies