Paul Skenes Shines as Pirates Edge Brewers 1-0
In a pitching masterclass, Pittsburgh Pirates' right-hander Paul Skenes dazzled against the Milwaukee Brewers, holding them hitless through seven innings in his 11th start of the season. The impressive performance had everything: precision, power, and poise, ultimately contributing to a narrow 1-0 victory.
A Near-No-Hitter Performance
Skenes set the tone early in the game, striking out 11 batters and issuing only one walk. His command was impeccable, and he remained unfazed as he kept the Brewers off the base paths. By the time he threw his 99th pitch, the extolled strikeout artist still had not allowed a single hit.
The decision to pull Skenes came from Manager Derek Shelton, who has been carefully managing Skenes' pitch count throughout the season. This year, the 100-pitch mark has been a rarer occurrence for Skenes, who has only surpassed it in four of his 11 starts. Despite his dominant performance, the young right-hander understood the call to hand over the baton. Reflecting on the substitution, Skenes remarked, "I wasn't going to be surprised either way, if he sent me out or pulled me. We have Holderman and (Aroldis) Chapman at the back end of our bullpen, so I think those are probably, I think, two of the best guys in the league so I have a ton of trust in them to finish it."
Combined No-Hitter Bid Ends
When eight-inning reliever Colin Holderman took over, the Pirates were still holding onto their slim 1-0 lead. Unfortunately, Holderman surrendered a hit to the very first batter he faced, disrupting the bid for a combined no-hitter. Yet, the Pirates' bullpen, featuring star closer Aroldis Chapman, managed to preserve the lead and secure the win.
Skenes' near-flawless game adds another accolade to his rookie season. Having made his MLB debut in mid-May, Skenes' performances have been nothing short of remarkable. Before this latest outing, he posted a 2.12 ERA across his first 10 starts, punctuated by a stellar 6.50 strikeout-to-walk ratio. This game further improved his statistics, dropping his ERA to an impressive 1.90.
Historical Feats and Future Prospects
In achieving this milestone, Skenes became only the second pitcher in American League/National League history to record multiple starts of six or more innings without allowing a hit while striking out at least 11 batters. The legendary Nolan Ryan is the only other pitcher to have accomplished this feat.
The victory puts the Pirates' current record at 45-48, injecting optimism into their National League wild-card race ambitions. Under Manager Derek Shelton's careful guidance, the team is vying for a playoff berth with a renewed sense of belief.
Managerial Decision-Making
Shelton's decision to manage Skenes' workload has been a topic of ongoing conversation. The manager's strategy seems to focus on longevity and preserving Skenes' arm for crucial games down the line. Skenes appears to be on board with this approach, as he communicated his understanding and trust in his bullpen's capabilities: "Obviously, in a 1-0 game you want to stay in there, you want to finish it, but the volume's getting up there a little bit so I get it."
Looking Ahead
With an eye on the playoffs, the Pirates are aiming to continue their strong performances and build on their recent successes. Skenes' outstanding start has provided a much-needed boost as they navigate the dog days of summer. His impressive rookie campaign is not only a beacon of hope for the Pirates' faithful but also a clear indication of the bright future that lies ahead for both him and the team.