Skenes strikes out 2 in perfect All-Star inning

Pirates ace hits 100 miles-an-hour six times in 14 pitches

PITTSBURGH (93.7 The Fan) – Paul Skenes had his first two All-Star Game strikeouts in a perfect first inning to open for the National League.

Skenes threw six pitches 100 mph including swinging strikeouts of Detroit’s Gleyber Torres and Riley Greene. After getting a called strike on a 100 mph pitch on Aaron Judge, he got the American League MVP to ground out.

Gleyber Torres
·     Foul on a 99mph fastball
·     Ball on a 98 mph fastball
·     Foul on a 99 mph fastball
·     Ball on a 98 mph fastball
·     Swinging strikeout on a 100 mph fastball

Riley Greene
·     Ball on a 100 mph fastball
·     Called strike on a 100 mph fastball
·     Called strike on a 99 mph fastball
·     Ball on a 99 mph fastball
·     Foul on a 100 mph fastball
·     Ball on a 95 mph splitter
·     Swinging strikeout on a 100 mph fastball

Aaron Judge
·     Called strike on a 100 mph fastball
·     Ground out to second base

It was a history-making appearance as the first pitcher to start the first two All-Star Games of his career. Last year Skenes faced four batters, walking one in a scoreless inning.

Skenes is the 12th Pirates pitcher to ever have multiple strikeouts in an All-Star appearance. He is only the fifth to have a pair of strikeouts in one inning of work (Felipe Vazquez 2018, Mark Melancon 2015, Mike Williams 2002, Goose Gossage 1977).

Featured Image Photo Credit: Brett Davis-Imagn Images