Pirates Drop 10th out of 11; Haven’t Seen That From Skenes at Home Since May
PITTSBURGH — Although he’s dominated at PNC Park all season, Paul Skenes had a rare rough outing for the Pittsburgh Pirates, who fell for the 10th time in their last 11 games with a 4-1 loss to the Chicago Cubs on Tuesday night.
How We Got There
Cubs leadoff hitter Michael Busch opened the game by hitting a solo homer to the back row of the bleachers in right field. Chicago added a second run in the first inning on Pete Crow-Armstrong’s RBI single.
The Pirates (65-87) answered back in the bottom of the first inning on Oneil Cruz’s RBI triple off the Clemente Wall in right.
The Cubs (87-64) struck back in the top of the second inning when Ian Happ’s sacrifice fly after back-to-back hits to open the frame.
Skenes (10-10) had his shortest start of the season, lasting only 3.1 innings and allowing three runs on a career-high tying seven hits and three walks. He struck out six.
Crow-Armstrong hit a sacrifice fly off Evan Sisk in the fifth to extend their lead to 4-1.
Key Moment
The Pirates had two on with one out with Bryan Reynolds and Oneil Cruz up when they were down 3-1 in the third but both players struck out. Kind of how it’s been going for the Pirates of late… and for much of the season.
Player of the Game
Michael Busch finished the game 3 for 4 with a home run, two doubles, a walk, an RBI and two runs scored. He’s homered in each of the first two games of this series and extended his hitting streak to six.
Stat to Know
This was the first time Paul Skenes allowed three runs in a start at PNC Park since May 1, when he was charged with three runs in five innings against the Cubs. He hadn’t been charged with an earned run in seven of his last eight home starts entering play.
Notable Performances
- Paul Skenes: 3.2 innings, seven hits, three runs, three walks, six strikeouts, 92 pitches/58 strikes
- Oneil Cruz: 1 for 4, one triple, one RBI
Noteworthy
- The Pirates have been out-hit 23-7 through the first two games of the series.
- Henry Davis snapped an 0-for-20 slump with a single inside the first base bag to lead off the third inning.
- The Pirates selected the contract of C/1B Rafael Flores from Triple-A Indianapolis and optioned INF Liover Peguero.
Up Next
RHP Johan Oviedo (2-0, 2.81 ERA) will start for the Pirates in Wednesday’s finale. The Cubs will send out LHP Matthew Boyd (13-8, 3.05 ERA). First pitch: 12:35 p.m. ET.
More about: Pirates