Paul Skenes remained unbeaten in his Major League career as the Pirates won Round One of their series with the Reds last night at PNC Park. Joe Block has the recap.
Manager Derek Shelton says Skenes used all five pitches in his repertoire last night, including his “splinker”.
Shelton said Skenes had to find the right mix of pitches after the Reds focused on his fastball early in the game.
The skipper said Skenes kept the Reds off balance by using his changeup more than usual.
The second game of the series is tonight at PNC Park. Left-hander Bailey Falter [3-4, 3.86 ERA] starts for the Pirates against Reds left-hander Nick Lodolo [7-2, 2.93 ERA]/ Airtime is 6:15, first pitch at 6:40 on WCCS.
Pirates general manager Ben Cherington said on Sunday that the team could recall veteran pitcher Daulton Jefferies from Indianapolis “any day”. That turned out to be yesterday as the Bucs added Jefferies to the bullpen and optioned left-hander Justin Bruihl. Jefferies was recalled last month for a doubleheader but the Bucs didn’t use him. They got him from the Giants in May in a trade for minor league outfielder Rodolfo Nolasco.
Out with a sprained right wrist, Ji Hwan Bae took live batting practice yesterday and Shelton said the utility man is “probably pretty close” to a rehab assignment.
MLB
The Phillies’ Bryce Harper and the Yankees’ Aaron Judge are the top vote-getters so far for the National League and American League All-Star teams. Phase One of the voting ends June 27th at noon. The top vote getters in each league after Phase One are automatically named starters for the game in Arlington, Texas on July 16th. Judge has the most votes of all, at more than 1.3 million. No Pirates are in the top five among infielders or designated hitter or top nine among outfielders.
Dodgers star shortstop Mookie Betts will miss six to eight weeks with his broken hand, suffered on Sunday when he was hit by a pitch against the Royals.
93-year-old Willie Mays will not be attending Thursday’s MLB at Rickwood Field: A Tribute to the Negro Leagues. Mays says he will be watching the game from home. He broke into professional baseball with the Birmingham Barons, who played their home games at Rickwood Field.
The Giants and Cardinals will play in the history-making game on Thursday.
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