The legend of Paul Skenes continued on Thursday as the rookie phenom tossed seven innings of no-hit baseball, helping the Pirates secure a series win over the Brewers.
Joe Block has the story.
Manager Derek Shelton was impressed with Skenes’ outing after he needed 60+ pitches to get through the first few innings.
Shelton received plenty of criticism for taking Skenes out in the eighth inning in favor of Colin Holderman, who gave up a single to the first hitter he faced, ending the no-hitter. He said Skenes was tired and it was the right decision.
Skenes’ outing carried more history behind it. He became just the second pitcher in MLB history to record seven no-hit innings and 11 strikeouts in the same outing, marking the first pitcher to do so since Nolan Ryan did it in 1973. He also joined Ryan, Max Scherzer and Justin Verlander as the only pitchers to record no hits and 10 strikeouts in multiple outings in a single season.
Shelton said Skenes has been special so far.
Skenes said after the game he wasn’t concerned with getting the no-hitter. He just wanted to help the Bucs win.
While he wanted a chance to keep going, Skenes understood the decision to pull him out of the game.
With the MLB All-Star Game happening Tuesday in Arlington, Texas, rumors are heating up that Skenes could become the fifth rookie in history to start the Midsummer Classic. The last pitcher to do it was Hideo Nomo in 1995.
Skenes said starting the All-Star Game would be a great opportunity.
Riding the momentum from yesterday’s game, the Pirates open their final series before the All-Star break tonight against the Chicago White Sox on the South Side. The Pirates have not announced a starter for tonight. Lefty Garrett Crochet will go for Chicago. He’s 6-6 with a 3.08 ERA.
You’ll hear tonight’s game starting at 7:45 on WCCS.
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