Paul Skenes Pulled in 1st Inning of Pirates Opener; 2 Misplays From Oneil Cruz
Things couldn’t have started better for the Pittsburgh Pirates on Opening Day against the New York Mets at Citi Field.
After an Oneil Cruz single to start the ballgame, newcomer Brandon Lowe hit a two-run home run just over the fence in right field to give the Pirates a 2-0 lead two batters into the game.
Normally, the Pirates would feel good about spotting ace Paul Skenes two runs before he even stepped onto the mound. But a top of the first inning that couldn’t have gone much better was followed by a bottom of the frame that couldnt have gone worse.
Skenes fell behind 3-0 to Mets leadoff hitter Francisco Lindor and eventually walked him. Juan Soto followed by dumping a single into the outfield to give the Mets runners on the corners with nobody out. New York then cut Pittsburgh’s lead in half on a Bo Bichette sacrifice fly to right field.
After the sac fly, Jorge Polanco reached on an infield single putting runners on first and second with one out. Luis Robert Jr. ended a lengthy 10-pitch at-bat with a walk to load the bases.
Then, all hell broke loose.
Brett Baty hit a liner to center field. Cruz initially broke in only to watch the ball sail over his head, resulting in a bases-clearing triple. The very next batter, Marcus Semien, skied one to center field. Cruz, who was not wearing sunglasses, lost the ball in the sun for a one-our double to put the Mets ahead 5-2.
After Skenes hit nine-hitter Francisco Alvarez with a pitch, manager Don Kelly walked to the mound and pulled him after 37 pitches.
Although the pair of Cruz misplays were disastrous, Skenes was not nearly as sharp as he has been pretty much throughout his career. His final line read 0.2 innings, four hits, five runs, two walks, one strikeout 37 pitches/26 strikes.
Who had that on their Opening Day bingo card?
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