Pirates Waste Paul Skenes’ Complete Game, Lose 1-0 for the Sweep

PHILADELPHIA—Paul Skenes put together the first complete game of his big league career on Sunday, May 18 in Philadelphia; naturally, the Pirates lost 1-0.

Skenes mowed through eight innings on an economical 102 pitches, striking out nine batters and allowing one run. The Pirates (15-32) have lost eight games via shutout this season, more than one in every six.

That was all the Phillies needed, a pair of fifth inning singles — the first after Ke’Bryan Hayes got a glove on a ground ball but lost it — spelling doom for the Pirates. Shortstop Isiah Kiner-Falefa had a chance at a double play to end the threat after a groundball from Phillies’ center fielder Brandon Marsh, but with no one there to cover second base, he had to run to the bag himself, running out of time to throw to first. Instead, Nick Castellanos scored what went on to become the winning run.

While the Pirates logged five hits against Abel, they couldn’t muster anything more than a single. Pittsburgh put a runner in scoring position on three separate occasions, but went 0-for-4 with a double play in such situations.

Although the Phillies suffered bad news before the game started, losing star closer Jose Alvarado to an 80 game suspension for PEDs, their bullpen didn’t have any trouble quashing the Pirates. Phillies relievers allowed one hit with five strikeouts in three innings.

Key Moment

With the Pirates trailing 1-0, Ke’Bryan Hayes walked and Alexander Canario singled to begin the seventh inning. An Adam Frazier bunt went straight at Phillies’ third baseman Alec Bohm, who cut down the lead runner, then an Isiah Kiner-Falefa double play ended the scoring chance.

Star of the Game

Phillies’ rookie right-hander Mick Abel, who struck out nine batters and needed just 84 pitches (62 strikes) to complete six innings in his big league debut.

Notable Pirates Performances

• Paul Skenes: 8 IP, 1 ER, 9 K’s, 102 pitches.
• Oneil Cruz: 0-for-4 with four strikeouts (two looking), good for a golden sombrero.

Stat to Know

The Pirates last scored more than four runs 23 games ago, facing the Angels in Anaheim on April 22. They’ve cleared the four run barrier just six times in 47 games this season, and opposing teams have held the Pirates to two runs or less 19 times.

Noteworthy

• Oneil Cruz is 0-for-9 with 8 strikeouts since returning from a five game absence due to back tightness on Friday, May 16.
• The Pirates went 1-5 on this road trip. They have just one win in their last 11 games on the road.
• Pittsburgh’s all-time record now stands just three games above .500 at 10854-10851. At the beginning of the 1993 season, they sat 522 games above .500.
• Andrew McCutchen notched a single in the first inning, the 1,700th hit of his Pirates career. He ranks tenth in team history in the category.

Up Next

The Pirates return to PNC Park to host the Cincinnati Reds at 6:40 p.m. on Monday, May 19. Mitch Keller (1-5, 4.15 ERA, 43 SO) will face lefty Nick Lodolo (3-4, 3.42 ERA, 42 SO).