Skenes Shines as Pirates Edge Brewers in Nail-Biting Victory
Pittsburgh Pirates' rising star Paul Skenes delivered another masterful performance on the mound, making his 11th start of the season a memorable one. The right-hander held the Milwaukee Brewers hitless through seven electrifying innings, showcasing his growing dominance in Major League Baseball.
The rookie phenom struck out 11 batters while issuing just one walk, keeping Brewers hitters off balance and off the bases. Skenes, pitching with a poise and precision that belied his limited professional experience, threw 99 pitches before manager Derek Shelton decided to lift him from the game.
Manager Shelton's decision to manage Skenes' pitch count came as no surprise. Skenes has only surpassed the 100-pitch mark in four of his 11 starts this season. Preserving the young pitcher's arm for the long season and potential playoff run appears to be a priority for the Pirates' skipper.
In the eighth inning, reliever Colin Holderman took over for Skenes. Unfortunately, Holderman surrendered a hit to the first batter he faced, ending the combined no-hit bid. Despite the disappointment, the Pirates' bullpen held firm, with Aroldis Chapman and other relievers preserving a slender 1-0 lead.
Reflecting on the decision to pull him, Skenes said, "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. 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."
Chapman, known for his high-velocity fastballs, sealed the victory, ensuring the Pirates emerged triumphant against their National League Central rivals. This win moved the Pirates closer to their goal of a playoff berth as they continue to battle in the wild-card race.
Skenes' performance placed him in elite company. He 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, joining legendary pitcher Nolan Ryan in this rare accomplishment.
Since making his MLB debut in mid-May, Skenes has quickly established himself as a force to be reckoned with. In his first 10 starts, he posted an impressive 2.12 ERA and held a 6.50 strikeout-to-walk ratio. Following his latest outing, his ERA dipped even further to a remarkable 1.90.
The Pirates, currently holding a 45-48 record, are fueled by optimism and belief as they push for a spot in the playoffs. Manager Derek Shelton's decision-making regarding Skenes’ workload has been a hot topic among fans and analysts, but the team's collective performance continues to inspire hope.
Skenes’ first 11 starts have been nothing short of extraordinary, reinforcing Pittsburgh's ambitions for a deep playoff run. "We have a ton of trust in our bullpen to finish the job," Skenes reiterated. "In a close game, it's all about the team effort, and tonight we showed that we have what it takes to compete with the best."
The Pirates’ bullpen, featuring stalwarts like Holderman and Chapman, has become a cornerstone of their resilient approach. With Skenes leading the charge on the mound and a supportive roster behind him, Pittsburgh’s playoff push is gathering momentum, carrying with it the hopes of an entire city.