Duke honored as IL Most Valuable Pitcher

PITTSBURGH -- Pirates rookie Zach Duke likely missed out on any chance he might have had to win the National League Rookie of the Year Award when he sprained his left ankle after being named the top newcomer in the Senior Circuit in the July and August.

However, the southpaw sensation will be heading back home to Texas this fall with at least one season-ending award to put on his mantle.

During a pregame ceremony at PNC Park on Wednesday, Duke was honored as the International League's Most Valuable Pitcher for 2005. Despite spending half of the season in the big leagues after a July 1 promotion, Duke finished second in the IL with 12 wins. He would have won the ERA title (2.92) if he'd pitched enough innings to qualify.

"I don't know if I deserve it or not. But I'll definitely take it," said Duke. "I had a good time there and we had a good run. We were in first place almost the whole time. The whole staff and team were great. It was a very enjoyable experience."

Duke will look to earn his seventh win in eight big-league decisions Thursday against the Houston Astros. And with at least two starts remaining, Duke still has his sights set on a combined 20-win season.

"That's goal," he said. "I have to have two more strong outings. We'll see how it goes