PITTSBURGH (93.7 The Fan) – National League Cy Young Award winner Paul Skenes did something only Paul Skenes did more times in a game and then nearly did something that only happened six times in Pirates history. Skenes took a no-hitter into the seventh as the Bucs beat the Rockies 3-1.
Skenes struck out the first six batters he faced. The Pirates record to open a game is seven, set by Skenes May 17, 2024 against the Cubs.
The righty had retired the first 19 batters he faced, 10 by strikeout, until a sinking liner to center by Colorado’s Mickey Moniak just eluded diving centerfielder Oneil Cruz.
Along with the first and second inning, Skenes also struck out the side in the sixth inning. Per the Elias Sports Bureau, he’s the only Pirates pitcher since 1961 to strike out the side at least three times in a single game.
Skenes final line Tuesday night
- 8 innings, 2 hits, no walks, 10 strikeouts, 98 pitches-68 strikes
- His ERA dipped below 2 for the first time this season, now at 1.98
- Skenes WHIP is now 0.64 and the batting average against is .145
2-out lightning
Pirates scored their first couple of runs with two outs, Nick Gonzales would place a grounder into right field to score Cruz in the first inning. It was Nick O’Hearn’s hustle down the line to avoid a double play the batter before Gonzales in the first inning.
Then Brandon Lowe in the fifth, also with a single to right, scoring Cruz from second base just ahead of the throw from Tyler Freeman.
Bryan Reynolds with a bases loaded infield single in the seventh inning to score Konnor Griffin, who beat out a double play, to score the Bucs third, two-out run.
Rockies got their runs on back-to-back doubles in the ninth off Gregory Soto, who recorded the save.
Defensive help
Skenes thanked his defense several times during the game, including a running catch by Cruz on Moniak in the fourth inning, another by Cruz against TJ Rumfield in the seventh and a play by Griffin in the hole to get Freeman to lead off the eighth.
The Password goes deep 3 times in one game
Up Next
Pirates host Colorado Wednesday night at 6:40 with Mitch Keller (4-1, 2.87 ERA) against former Pirates lefty Jose Quintana (1-2, 3.90 ERA). Dan Zangrilli starts the North Shore Tavern Leadoff Show at 5:45 on 93.7 The Fan.
Pirates starter struck out the side 3 times vs. Rockies
Pirates starter struck out the side 3 times vs. Rockies
