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(Sports Network) - High-priced left-hander Barry Zito returns to the rotation after a brief stint in the bullpen tonight when the San Francisco Giants visit PNC Park for the middle test of a three-game series with the Pittsburgh Pirates.

Zito, who was signed before last season to a seven-year, $126 million contract, dropped six straight starts to begin 2008 and was demoted to the bullpen by manager Bruce Bochy.

He was set to work in relief for eight days, but never made an appearance, and will start tonight for the first time since an April 27 loss to Cincinnati in which he gave up seven hits and eight runs in three innings.

Overall, in 28 2/3 innings, Zito has been touched for 41 hits and 24 runs, walking 15 batters and striking out 11.

He lost his lone career start against the Pirates last season, allowing six hits and three runs in six innings.

Lefty Phil Dumatrait makes his second start of the season for Pittsburgh.

The 26-year-old Californian came out of the bullpen 10 times before a May 2 start at Washington, in which he allowed six hits and four runs in four innings while getting a no-decision in the Pirates' 11-4 victory.

Dumatrait reached the majors last season with Cincinnati and was 0-4 in six starts with a 15.00 earned run average in 18 innings.

Overall this season, he's allowed 28 hits and 13 earned runs in 24 2/3 innings.

On Tuesday, Nate McLouth went 3-for-5 with a pair of home runs and three RBI while Zach Duke picked up his first win of the season in Pittsburgh's 12-6 victory .

Duke scattered eight hits and three walks in 7 1/3 innings, allowing three runs while fanning three in his first victory since June 12, 2007.

The Pirates belted 14 hits, as Freddy Sanchez was 3-for-4 at the plate with two runs scored and two RBI, while Adam LaRoche belted a two-run homer in the blowout.

Xavier Nady also added a pair of RBI for Pittsburgh, which halted a two-game skid.

San Francisco starter Jonathan Sanchez (2-2) allowed seven runs on six hits with three walks in 4 1/3 innings for the loss, which snapped the left- hander's five-game unbeaten streak.

Jose Castillo hit a three-run homer for the Giants, who have dropped two straight, while Rich Aurilia was 3-for-4 with two runs scored and an RBI in the loss.

Pittsburgh won four of six from the Giants last season and is 11-3 against them since the start of last season.