PITTSBURGH - Zach Duke makes his long-awaited first career start in Pittsburgh on Thursday night. Pirates manager Lloyd McClendon thinks the fans will like what they see.

McClendon certainly was impressed with Duke's major-league debut Saturday in Milwaukee, even if the 22-year-old left-hander didn't figure in the decision in a 5-3 loss. Duke gave up five hits and three runs in seven innings and struck out nine, the most by a Pirates pitcher in his debut since knuckleballer Tim Wakefield struck out 10 in 1992.

"His stuff lived up to his billing. His fastball was firm, his changeup was outstanding, his breaking ball froze the hitters, and he had good sink on the fastball," McClendon said. "And his presence on the mound was unbelievable. He's got the whole package."

Duke similarly impressed McClendon during spring training when, as an invited, non-roster pitcher attending his first spring camp, Duke nearly made the Pirates' opening-day roster.

Some on the Pirates' staff wanted to keep Duke ahead of left-hander Dave Williams, but doing so would have started the clock on Duke's arbitration eligibility. By not calling up Duke until last week, the Pirates delayed that for one season.

The Pirates have rarely had a pitcher with Duke's minor-league credentials; he had a 43-17 record in four seasons, going a combined 15-6 at Class A Lynchburg and Double-A Altoona last season and 12-3 at Triple-A Indianapolis this season.

But McClendon would like Duke's makeup even if the left-hander hadn't been so successful in the minors.

"They are impressive numbers, but once you step on field out here, you can close the book on that," McClendon said. "The easiest thing to do is get here. The hardest thing is to stay here. Zach Duke goes into the same category as everybody else: He must be able to perform at a consistent level every fifth day, against guys you're going to see over and over during the course of the season."

Catcher-outfielder RyanDoumit, regarded as the Pirates' top minor- league hitting prospect before being called up June 5, is struggling to keep his average above .200. He's also finding it difficult to get regular playing time, especially with catchers Humberto Cota and David Ross also on the roster.McClendon said the switch-hitting Doumit must learn more patience at the plate, and start hitting the ball up the middle rather than looking to take every pitch deep. Doumit recently went through an 0-for-12 streak and is 0-for-7 as a pinch-hitter, dropping his average to .206."He's probably trying to hit the ball out of ballpark, instead of hitting the ball back up through the middle," McClendon said. "He's going to have to start taking what the pitchers give him."Doumit has shuttled between catcher and right field, and the Pirates have yet to decide which is the better position for him."Every day is a new experience for him, and he's taking in a lot," McClendon said. "He's also taking in a lot learning how to catch at this level. But I think he's going to be OK."Doumit had hits in nine of his first 14 starts after being called up from Triple-A Indianapolis, where he was hitting .345 with 12 homers and 35 RBIs. But he has yet to homer in the majors, and has only one RBI since June 19.