Duke ends slump as Bucs top Giants, 7-0

The Pirates pitcher tossed a six-hitter to break out of a career-worst, nine-game skid.

SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — Even as the losses piled up, Zach Duke kept going about his business and kept believing things eventually would turn around.

Duke pitched a six-hitter to snap a career-worst nine-game skid and the Pittsburgh Pirates ran their winning streak in San Francisco to seven with a 7-0 victory over the Giants on Friday night, when a light earthquake rattled the area during the game.

“Obviously it’s been an interesting year for me, but I’m never going to be someone to roll over and give up,” Duke said. “I’m always going to work my butt off. This is a pretty gratifying game for me.”

Brandon Moss drove in three runs and Adam LaRoche two for Pittsburgh, helping Duke win for the first time in 15 starts since beating Arizona on June 9. The left-hander ended the longest losing streak by a Pirates pitcher since Jose DeLeon lost 11 in a row in 1985.

Duke (5-13) struck out four and walked two in his third career complete game and second shutout.

“He’s shown some good signs all year that he’s capable of throwing the ball well,” Pirates manager John Russell said.

“Some of his starts it’s been that one inning, which he was able to avoid tonight. I’m sure it’s a little bit of a relief for him that he got it out of the way.”

In two of Duke’s previous three outings, the Pirates failed to score while he was on the mound. This time, Pittsburgh matched a franchise record with four sacrifice flies.

Duke earned his first road win since May 27, 2007, at Cincinnati, and the second straight complete-game shutout by the Pirates in San Francisco.

A minor earthquake hit the Bay Area during the bottom of the sixth inning. Many felt the temblor — with a preliminary report as a 4.0-magnitude from the U.S. Geological Survey — but there was no interruption of the game.