Rain Delay Ruins Paul Skenes' Gem, Costs Pirates Dearly Vs. Rays
The rain couldn't have come at a worse time for Pittsburgh.
Rain Delay Ruins Paul Skenes' Gem, Costs Pirates Dearly Vs. Rays originally appeared on SportsNet Pittsburgh . Add SportsNet Pittsburgh as a Preferred Source by clicking here .
For the first half of their game against the Tampa Bay Rays on Saturday, the Pittsburgh Pirates were cruising. Paul Skenes was off to a phenomenal start and he was getting plenty of run support on his bobblehead night thanks to a pair of two-run homers, the second of which drove Rays starter Drew Rasmussen from the game in the fourth inning. Unfortunately for the Pirates and their 4-0 lead, the skies opened up on PNC Park after the fourth inning, resulting in a lengthy rain delay .
The delay flipped the script, completely derailing Pittsburgh's momentum and giving Tampa Bay a chance to reset. This Pirates game is entering a rain delay folks pic. twitter.
com/1jipvyMLl0 ā Dominic Campbell (@DOMISMONEY) April 18, 2026 With Skenes out of the game after just 64 pitches, the Rays immediately pounced on the Pirates' bullpen when play resumed in the fifth inning, erupting for five runs to take the lead. Pittsburgh rallied to tie the game in the eighth and force extra innings, only to lose 8-7 in the 13th. It was an extremely frustrating loss for the Pirates, who missed numerous opportunities.