Paul Skenes practically perfect in latest sensational start for Pirates
Pirates ace Paul Skenes was perfect in 7 of the 8 innings he threw Wednesday night against the Diamondbacks.
PHOENIX — Pittsburgh Pirates Cy Young winner Paul Skenes, already producing the greatest start to a career of any pitcher in MLB history, came oh, so close Wednesday to carving out a page in the record book. Skenes, in one of the finest starts of his brilliant career, came oh, so close to pitching a no-hitter. Really, he came oh, so close to pitching a perfect game.
“I’d be lying,’’ Pirates manager Don Kelly said, “if I said it didn’t go through my mind. ’’ Skenes instead had to settle for a brilliant eight-inning gem, allowing just two baserunners in the Pirates’ 1-0 victory over the Arizona Diamondbacks at Chase Field. “I don’t know what else to say,’’ Kelly said, “but he was unbelievable.
’’ Skenes was blowing his 98-mph four-seam fastball past the D-backs. He had them swinging at air on his changeup. He had them diving at his sinker.
They flailed away at his sweeper. Everything was working, generating 13 swings-and-misses, with seven strikeouts on three different pitches. He threw 97 pitches, 65 for strikes.