Pirates pitcher Paul Skenes, the reigning National League Cy Young Award winner, took the mound against the Rockies at home on Tuesday, delivering a dominant performance. The 23-year-old right-hander tossed eight shutout innings, allowing just two hits and striking out ten, earning his sixth win of the season.
Skenes was electric from the first pitch, striking out the first six batters he faced. Through six innings, the only base runner he allowed came via a hit batter, briefly sparking hopes of a no-hitter. He finally gave up his first hit—a single to center by Moniak—with one out in the seventh, ending the no-hit bid. But Skenes calmly retired the next two batters. In the eighth, he allowed a double to Johnston with one out, then got Castro on a flyout to left and Torver on a groundout to the mound. He threw 98 pitches over eight innings, leaving eight zeros on the scoreboard.
The Pirates’ offense provided early support. Gonzalez drove in a run with a single in the first inning. Row added an RBI single in the fifth, and Reynolds delivered another in the seventh, building a comfortable lead for Skenes.
Skenes’ season got off to a rocky start. As the Opening Day starter on March 26, he lasted just 2/3 of an inning against the Mets, allowing five earned runs for a 67.50 ERA. He also struggled on April 30 against the Cardinals, surrendering five runs in five innings. However, the right-hander has now posted back-to-back eight-inning scoreless outings, lowering his ERA to 1.98. Considered the favorite for this year’s Cy Young, Skenes is hitting his stride at just the right time.