Pirates-Rays Notes

By JOHN LEMBO
jlembo@bradenton.com
BRADENTON – First Paul Maholm.
Now Zach Duke.
Pittsburgh’s southpaw duo has been impressive this spring, and Duke furthered that string Monday, when he went five scoreless innings to pitch the Pirates to a 4-1 win over the Tampa Bay Rays.
Duke allowed two hits, walked two and fanned four, lowering his ERA to 1.83.
“He has a very good grasp of what he’s doing this year. He had a very good offseason,” said manager John Russell. “He’s got a different outlook on what he’s doing, and the confidence is showing.”
Duke has walked four in 19 2/3 innings this season. Maholm (2-0, 0.46) has walked one in 19 2/3.
HAPPY JACK: Shorstop Jack Wilson, who is breaking in a new stance this spring, doubled twice against the Rays. He entered the game batting .091 this spring, and is now at .143. Wilson has five hits this spring, three of which are doubles.
BLEMISH FREE: Jesse Chavez pitched a perfect ninth to earn his first save of the spring, snapping a string of three straight appearances where he allowed at least one run. Chavez struck out one against the Rays on Monday.
MR. VERSATILITY: Eric Hinske started at third base for the first time this spring, assisting on a putout. Hinske also went 2-for-3 with a run scored against his former team, showing no ill effects from the rib injury that kept him out of spring games for about three weeks.
NIGHT TIME IS THE RIGHT TIME: The Pirates have three straight night games, beginning with Tuesday’s game in Orlando. They play the Rays on Wednesday night in Port Charlotte before hosting the Blue Jays on Friday night.
They are off Thursday.