The Pittsburgh Pirates currently hold a 43-44 record following a high-scoring defeat in Philadelphia. Over the last 24 hours, the club has endured a difficult outing from its ace. They have also made a series of roster adjustments to address injuries and bullpen depth.
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MLB Game Recap
The Pittsburgh Pirates fell 10-6 to the Philadelphia Phillies on Wednesday night at Citizens Bank Park. Starter Paul Skenes struggled. He allowed a career-high seven earned runs across four innings. This included a pivotal five-run second inning. The second inning was sparked by a throwing error and a Trea Turner three-run home run. The Pirates outhit Philadelphia 12-11. They cut the lead to 8-6 in the seventh. However, a late Alec Bohm home run off Dennis Santana stifled the comeback effort.
Standout Performer
Jared Triolo provided a significant spark off the bench, finishing 1-for-2 with a double and three RBIs. Triolo tied a career high in RBIs. He delivered a two-run double in the seventh inning. This brought Pittsburgh within two runs. He also reached base via a hit-by-pitch that forced in a run during the fifth.
Key News & Notes
The Pirates placed first baseman Spencer Horwitz on the 10-day injured list due to a left hamstring strain. They promoted top prospect Jack Brannigan from Double-A Altoona. In a bullpen shuffle, the team recalled Cam Sanders for his fifth stint this season. They also optioned Brandan Bidois to Triple-A Indianapolis. Manager Don Kelly noted that Skenes’ average fastball velocity of 96.3 mph was tied for a career low, though Skenes maintained he will “keep attacking” to find a solution.
Farm Report
- Triple-A Indianapolis: Termarr Johnson went 1-for-2 with his 5th home run and a walk in a 4-2 loss to Omaha. The infielder’s leadoff blast provided half of the Indians’ total offense.
- Double-A Altoona: Titus Dumitru finished 2-for-5 with a home run. He also had 3 RBIs in a 7-6 loss to Portland. Dumitru’s first-inning three-run shot gave the Curve an early advantage.
- High-A Greensboro: Sammy Stafura went 2-for-5 with a home run. He also hit a double and had 5 RBIs in a 10-8 win over Bowling Green. Stafura’s explosive performance led the Grasshoppers to their 50th win of the season.
- Single-A Bradenton: Jhonny Garcia tossed 5.0 innings. He allowed 2 hits and 1 earned run while striking out 8 in a 4-3 extra-inning win over Daytona. Garcia’s dominant start anchored the Marauders’ 10-inning victory.
Deep Dive: Skenes’ Nine-Game Winless Streak
The Pittsburgh Pirates’ generational ace, Paul Skenes, is currently navigating the most challenging stretch of his professional career. Following Wednesday’s loss, Skenes has failed to record a victory in nine consecutive starts. This winless streak is now tied for the second-longest in history for a reigning Cy Young Award winner. During this nine-game span, Skenes has posted a 5.36 ERA and seen his trademark fastball velocity fluctuate significantly. In Philadelphia, his four-seam fastball averaged just 96.3 mph, a notable dip from the triple-digit heat he displayed as a rookie.
The manager, Don Kelly, is unsure if fatigue or extreme heat affected Skenes’ career-worst performance. However, the pitcher’s execution has faltered. Skenes struggled with location. This issue was evident during a 35-pitch second inning. In that inning, he surrendered a critical three-run homer to Trea Turner. Skenes hasn’t had recent wins. Still, he remains committed to his rigorous routine. He is searching for the mechanical tweaks necessary to return to his elite form. Veteran Brandon Lowe emphasized that the team still views Skenes as their “top gun.” He noted that the frustration of losing his starts is shared by the entire clubhouse. They await their ace’s return to dominance.
Looking Ahead
The Pirates conclude their series against the Phillies this afternoon at 12:35 PM ET, sending right-hander Jared Jones (1-1, 5.76 ERA) to the mound against Alan Rangel (0-1, 4.50 ERA).
