Phillies 1, Pirates 0: A superb Skenes start wasted yet again
Paul Skenes did what he usually does, and so did the Pirates' offense in falling, 1-0, to the Phillies today here at Citizens Bank Park.
Skenes was superb in extending to eight innings for the first time this season — first official complete game of his career, too — allowing one run on a fielder's choice in the fifth, three total hits and a walk while striking out nine. It might've been his best work of 2025.
"Did a good job adjusting, I think, as the game went on. Kept them off balance and just a better job of executing today overall," Skenes said. "Out in the bullpen, it wasn't anything impressive when I got out there. I was just getting ahead of guys. You can't just start coasting a little bit with it, you have to keep the pressure on early in the count, and I think I did a better job today than I have, probably in most of my starts this year."
Despite facing a rookie callup making a spot start for his Major League Baseball debut in Mick Abel, the Pirates couldn't score in his six innings, struck out nine times, then couldn't get anything achieved over the final three innings, either. They've been shut out eight times, most in the majors, and they've scored 141 runs, fewest in the majors.
THE ASYLUM
Phillies 1, Pirates 0: A superb Skenes start wasted yet again
Paul Skenes did what he usually does, and so did the Pirates' offense in falling, 1-0, to the Phillies today here at Citizens Bank Park.
Skenes was superb in extending to eight innings for the first time this season — first official complete game of his career, too — allowing one run on a fielder's choice in the fifth, three total hits and a walk while striking out nine. It might've been his best work of 2025.
"Did a good job adjusting, I think, as the game went on. Kept them off balance and just a better job of executing today overall," Skenes said. "Out in the bullpen, it wasn't anything impressive when I got out there. I was just getting ahead of guys. You can't just start coasting a little bit with it, you have to keep the pressure on early in the count, and I think I did a better job today than I have, probably in most of my starts this year."
Despite facing a rookie callup making a spot start for his Major League Baseball debut in Mick Abel, the Pirates couldn't score in his six innings, struck out nine times, then couldn't get anything achieved over the final three innings, either. They've been shut out eight times, most in the majors, and they've scored 141 runs, fewest in the majors.
Oneil Cruz struck out all four times up.
• The highlights: From Major League Baseball ...
• The manager: Kelly's media session ...
• The data: Boxscore | Statistics | Advanced
• The standings: 15-32, fifth, Central Division
• The trends: Lost 16 of 20, now 3-6 with Kelly
• The next one: Reds, Monday, 6:40 p.m., PNC Park
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