Pirates’ Paul Skenes Again Flirts With History, Shuts Down Rockies in Win

Key Moments

Paul Skenes’ perfect game bid was broken up after hitting Troy Johnston with a pitch with two outs in the fifth. Mickey Moniak broke up his no-hit bid with a single into shallow left-center with one out in the seventh.

Player of the Game

Paul Skenes (6-2) recorded a season-high 10 strikeouts (including the first six batters he faced) and held the Rockies to just one hit in what was one of the best starts of his MLB career.

Stat to Know

Paul Skenes (6-2) is one one of four Major League pitchers in the Modern Era (since 1901) to pitch eight-scoreless innings while allowing two or fewer hits and issuing zero walks in back-to-back starts, joining Boston (AL)’s Cy Young (1905), Chicago (AL)’s Billy Pierce (1958) and San Diego’s Mat Latos (2010).

Notable Performances

• Paul Skenes: 8.0 innings, two hits, no runs, no walks, 10 strikeouts, 98 pitches/68 strikes
• Oneil Cruz: 3 for 4, two doubles, two runs
• Nick Gonzales: 2 for 4, one double, one RBI
• Spencer Horwitz: 2 for 3, one walk

Noteworthy

• This was the second straight game and the third time in his last three starts that Paul Skenes retired at least the first 14 batters he faced. He retired the first 14 batters in Arizona on Wednesday and retired the first 20 batters he faced in Milwaukee on April 24.
• Skenes has not allowed a run over his last 16 innings pitched.
• Pirates starters have combined for a 1.58 ERA (7er/40ip) over their last six games.
• Gregory Soto notched his fourth save of the season.
• Spencer Horwitz extended his hitting streak to six games.
• The Pirates recalled C/1B Endy Rodríguez and RHP Brandan Bidois from Triple-A Indianapolis. C Joey Bart (left foot infection) was placed on the 10-day injured list and RHP Cam Sanders was optioned to Indianapolis.

Up Next

RHP Mitch Keller (4-1, 2.87 ERA) will look to keep things rolling on Wednesday night. Former Pirates LHP Jose Quintana (1-2, 3.90 ERA) gets the start for the Rockies. First pitch: 6:40 p.m. ET on SportsNet Pittsburgh, MLB Network/93.7 The Fan.

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