Pirates’ Paul Skenes drops ‘hit or miss’ take on discouraging Cubs loss

The Pittsburgh Pirates let a promising bounce-back outing from Paul Skenes slip through their fingers, falling 7-2 to the Chicago Cubs at PNC Park and dropping to 6-6 in games started by the reigning National League Cy Young Award winner.

After allowing nine runs combined across his previous two starts, Skenes responded with 10 strikeouts over 5 1/3 innings. He surrendered three runs on four hits, though only one of those runs was earned. The outing lowered his ERA to 2.89 and improved his career ERA to 2.12 through more than 300 innings before turning 24 years old.

Skenes retired the first eight hitters he faced while striking out seven of the first eight Chicago batters. He recorded six consecutive strikeouts from the first through third innings and matched a career mark with seven strikeouts through three frames. His sweeper generated multiple swings and misses, while his fastball touched 99.4 mph.

Though he found his rhythm again on the mound, Skenes admitted his outing wasn’t flawless.

“Coming out of the gate was pretty good,” said Skenes. “I think there were times throughout the game where it was kind of hit and miss, but for the most part found ways to get outs. So I think even in that bad stretch it didn’t feel perfect the whole time.”

The Cubs broke through in the fourth inning when Michael Busch walked, Ian Happ reached on an infield single and Seiya Suzuki tucked in a bloop RBI single. Defensive mistakes then hurt the Pirates in the sixth. Tyler Callihan and Jared Triolo committed throwing errors on consecutive plays, leading to two unearned runs and pushed Chicago’s lead to 3-0.

Skenes exited after the Triolo error, finishing with three walks and 70 pitches through four innings before ending his night in the sixth. He later said several uncompetitive pitches contributed to the elevated pitch count.

Pittsburgh cut the deficit to 3-2 in the sixth on Bryan Reynolds’ solo homer and Callihan’s RBI double. However, the bullpen could not keep the game close.

Happ, who had three hits, launched a two-run homer in the eighth after providing the game-winner with a three-run shot the previous night. Colin Rea earned the win for the Cubs, allowing two runs in 5 1/3 innings.

The Pirates also lost Nick Gonzales, who exited after the third inning with left knee discomfort.

The post Pirates’ Paul Skenes drops ‘hit or miss’ take on discouraging Cubs loss appeared first on ClutchPoints.