Pittsburgh's Paul Skenes showcased a masterclass on the mound in his 11th start of the season, holding the Milwaukee Brewers hitless through seven dominant innings. The Pirates' right-hander was mesmerizing, racking up 11 strikeouts against just a single walk before being lifted after 99 pitches. The decision to pull Skenes was carefully managed by Pirates' manager Derek Shelton.
"I wasn't going to be surprised either way, if he sent me out or pulled me," Skenes commented. "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."
The game saw Colin Holderman taking over in the eighth inning. However, Holderman surrendered a hit to the first batter he faced, ending the combined no-hit bid. Despite the hiccup, the Pirates' bullpen, which included the formidable Aroldis Chapman, managed to preserve the slim 1-0 lead, sealing a crucial victory against Milwaukee.
Impressive Debut Season
Skenes, who made his MLB debut in mid-May, has been nothing short of spectacular in his first 11 starts. His latest outing lowered his ERA to an impressive 1.90, solidifying his status as a standout performer. Over his first 10 starts, Skenes managed a 2.12 ERA and a remarkable 6.50 strikeout-to-walk ratio, showcasing his command and dominance on the mound.
Skenes' performance against the Brewers also saw him etching his name into the record books. 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. The only other pitcher to achieve this feat is the legendary Nolan Ryan.
Playoff Aspirations
The Pirates' current record of 45-48 leaves them in the thick of the National League wild-card race. The team, fueled by stellar performances like Skenes', is aiming for a playoff berth and is driven by a sense of optimism and belief.
Managing Skenes' workload has been a topic of conversation, with Manager Derek Shelton often having to make crucial decisions on when to pull his ace from the mound. So far, Skenes has surpassed the 100-pitch threshold in just four of his 11 starts, demonstrating the deliberate management of his pitch count.
"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," Skenes reiterated, echoing his confidence in the team's depth and resilience.
The Road Ahead
As the Pirates push forward, the contributions of Skenes will undoubtedly be pivotal. His impressive start to life in the majors stands as a beacon of hope for a team that is eagerly eyeing a postseason run. With a carefully managed workload and support from a strong bullpen, the Pirates have every reason to feel confident in their charge towards a playoff spot.
Skenes' early success has not only provided immediate results but also laid a foundation for future excellence. The Pirates' faithful have a new hero to rally behind as the team continues its quest for October baseball.