Duke excited for homecoming in Pittsburgh

By Anthony Fenech / MLB.com | 06/05/11

PHOENIX -- Welcome back Zach.

Wednesday will serve as a homecoming of sorts for D-backs starter Zach Duke, who is slated to start against the Pirates at PNC Park.

Duke pitched six seasons in Pittsburgh after being selected by the Pirates in the 20th round of the 2001 First-Year Player Draft.

"It's good to get back there," he said. "I spent a lot of time there, had some good memories, had some bad memories, but it will be good."

Duke earned an All-Star appearance with the Pirates in 2009, during a campaign in which he went 11-16 with a 4.06 ERA.

He is scheduled to face Paul Maholm. The two were teammates for six seasons.

Duke is 31-31 with a 4.26 ERA in 81 career starts at PNC Park.

"It's a pitchers' ballpark for sure," he said. "Left field gets deep in a hurry. It plays very fair, and it's a good place to play."