Skenes Sets Team Record, Cruz Ends Homer Drought in Pirates Win Over Marlins

PITTSBURGH — Paul Skenes made team history in a dominant start and Oneil Cruz connected on his 19th home run after a lengthy hiatus in the Pittsburgh Pirates 3-2 win over the Miami Marlins at PNC Park on Monday.

Recap

Skenes (10-2), in almost effortless fashion, completed six innings against the Marlins (54-90) and allowed one run. Otto Lopez’s RBI-single in the top of the fourth was the lone blemish against the Pirates’ starter.

Skenes entered Monday’s start tied for the most strikeouts in a single season by a rookie and sat down nine Marlins on strikes in his outing. Skenes became one of five pitchers in MLB history to strikeout at least 150 batters in 20 games or fewer.

He allowed six hits, walked one batter and threw 66 of his 98 pitches for strikes. 

With another strong start, Skenes’ ERA now sits at 2.10, the lowest mark for a starting pitcher since he made his debut on May 11.

Oneil Cruz put the Pirates (68-76) ahead 1-0 in the bottom of the first inning with a 444-foot homer into the bushes in center field off of Valente Bellozo (2-3). It was his first home run in a calendar month, with his last against the Dodgers in Los Angeles on Aug. 9 and first since moving to center field.

Come for the Cruz HR. Stay for the celebration with Cutch. pic.twitter.com/ZPk8rWSCQF

— Pittsburgh Pirates (@Pirates) September 9, 2024

In the bottom of the second, Alika Williams reached on what would have been an inning-ending error and Nick Gonzales followed with a base hit to left and advanced to second. Bryan Reynolds brought home both runners with a base hit to right. 

Aroldis Chapman allowed a run in the bottom of the ninth on a Cristian Pache pinch-hit double but retired Nick Fortes for his seventh save of the season. 

Key Moment

Reynolds’ clutch two-run single with two outs in the second inning ended up serving as the difference in the Pirates’ win.

Star of the Game

Paul Skenes, who improved his Rookie of the Year resumé with a few more weeks left in the regular season. 

Stat to Know

Skenes surpassed Cy Blanton for the most strikeouts by a Pirates’ rookie since 1900 by fanning Connor Norby in the top of the first inning. Blanton struck out 142 batters in 1935. 

Noteworthy

• Dennis Santana tossed a 1-2-3 eighth inning, extending his scoreless-innings streak to 17.

Up Next

The Pirates and Marlins will continue their three-game series on Tuesday night. Right-hander Adam Oller (1-2, 4.15 ERA) will start for Miami. The Bucs have yet to announce a starter. First pitch: 6:40 ET.