Pirates Match Season-High Losing Streak; Paul Skenes Takes Another Loss
Paul Skenes will have to wait until after the All-Star break to try and notch his first win since May.
The right-hander delivered another strong start, but the Pittsburgh Pirates’ offense was stifled in a 2-1 loss to the Minnesota Twins on Friday night at Target Field.
How We Got There
Isiah Kiner-Falefa gave the Pirates (38-57) a 1-0 lead in the fourth inning by splitting the right-center gap for an RBI double.
The lead didn’t last long, though, as Trevor Larnach connected on a two-run home run against Skenes (4-8) in the bottom of the inning to give the Twins (46-48) a one-run advantage.
Five Twins’ relievers combined for four-shutout innings to end the game. Johan Durán converted his 15th save.
The loss is the Pirates’ seventh in a row, which ties their season-high losing streak. They also lost seven in a row from May 1-7.
Key Moment
The Pirates had the tying run in scoring position with one out in the ninth after Jack Suwinski, who pinch-ran for Spencer Horwitz, stole second, but Adam Frazier and Isiah Kiner-Falefa struck out.
Star of the Game
Trevor Larnach hit the game-winning home run against Paul Skenes, who had not allowed a home run in any of his last five start. The last home run Skenes allowed was in the seventh inning of a June 3 game against the Houston Astros. Larnach’s blast ended a streak of 36.2-straight innings without allowing a homer.
Stat to Know
Paul Skenes notched his 300th career strikeout in the fourth inning. According to the Elias Sports Bureau, Skenes is the first Pirates pitcher and one of only 17 Major League pitchers all-time to record at least 300 strikeouts in his first 43 big-league starts.
Notable Performances
- Paul Skenes: 5.0 innings, five hits, two runs, no walks, six strikeouts, 78 pitches/53 strikes
- Carmen Mlodzinski: 3.0 innings two hits, no runs, no walks, four strikeouts, 37 pitches/24 strikes
- Oneil Cruz: 2 for 4, one steal
- Spencer Horwitz: 2 for 4, one run
- Isiah Kiner-Falefa: 1 for 4, one double, one RBI, one steal
Noteworthy
- Paul Skenes has not gotten a win since May 28 against the Arizona Diamondbacks (winless in last 14 starts) despite a 1.84 ERA.
- Isiah Kiner-Falefa’s double was his first extra-base hit since a triple against the Brewers on June 23 and only his second XBH in his last 26 games.
- The Pirates selected the contract of RHP Yohan Ramírez and optioned INF Jared Triolo to Triple-A Indianapolis. OF/1B Matt Gorski was designated for assignment.
Up Next
The Pirates will look to avoid an eighth-straight loss against the Twins on Saturday afternoon. RHP Mike Burrows (1-2, 3.63 ERA) will start for Pittsburgh. Minnesota has yet to announce a starter. First pitch: 2:10 p.m. ET.
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