Pittsburgh Pirates (62-97) at Cincinnati Reds (76-84), 7:10 p.m.

Sports Network | October 3, 2009

(Sports Network) - Texas-born lefty Zach Duke can finish his season with consecutive victories tonight when the Pittsburgh Pirates visit Great American Ball Park in the second portion of a three-game set with the Cincinnati Reds.

The Pirates won the opener, 3-1, on Friday to ensure they will avoid a 100- loss season.

Duke, a 26-year-old former 20th-round draft choice in 2001, had lost four straight decisions between August 28 and September 22 before breaking through with an 11-1 defeat of the Los Angeles Dodgers on Monday.

In the win, he allowed four hits and a run in 8 2/3 innings, walking one and striking out six.

His last win prior had been against the Reds on August 22, a 12-2 decision. Duke was subsequently beaten twice by the Reds, dropping his career mark against Cincinnati to 3-5 in nine starts. Duke is 3-8 in 15 road starts this season.

For the Reds, righty Johnny Cueto can finished .500 for the season with a win.

The 23-year-old Dominican was 10-10 after a 10-4 defeat of the Pirates on September 22, in which he allowed nine hits and two runs in five innings.

He dropped a 3-2 verdict at Houston five days later to fall a game below the 50/50 threshold.

Cueto is 5-2 in seven starts against the Pirates in two big-league seasons. He is 3-5 in 12 home starts in 2009.

On Friday, Andy LaRoche went 2-for-3 with a pair of runs batted in and Daniel McCutchen was solid in 6 1/3 innings to pick up his first win in the majors, as the Pirates edged the Reds.

Lastings Milledge went 2-for-4 with a solo homer for the Pirates, who have won three in a row and five of six. Daniel McCutchen and Andrew McCutchen each scored a run for the victors.

Daniel McCutchen (1-2) gave up one run on four hits with five strikeouts and two walks to get his first MLB win in his sixth start. Matt Capps worked around a one-out double in the ninth to pick up his 27th save of the year.

Wladimir Balentien hit a solo homer for the Reds, who have lost two in a row and three of five.

Justin Lehr (5-3) went six frames, allowing three runs on four hits with six strikeouts and three walks to take the loss.