Pirates’ Paul Skenes Talks Lack of Run Support After 1st Loss of MLB Career

Paul KasabianFeatured Columnist IIJuly 24, 2024

Joe Sargent/Getty Images

Pittsburgh Pirates ace rookie pitcher Paul Skenes took the first loss of his career on Tuesday, falling 2-1 to the St. Louis Cardinals despite pitching into the ninth inning and striking out eight.

ESPN @espnPaul Skenes pitched a gem in the FIRST LOSS of his MLB career 💎

Skenes hadn’t lost a game since May 25, 2023, when he pitched for LSU against Arkansas in the SEC Tournament 😳 pic.twitter.com/KlQ1JVKORM

After the game, Skenes was asked about how the lack of run support affects his pitching, and he provided this response.

93.7 The Fan @937theFanHow does little run support affect #Pirates Paul Skenes pic.twitter.com/N7ETCshV7Q

“Less room for error, for sure,” Skenes told 93.7 The Fan.

“You look at that outing against the [Los Angeles Dodgers] when [the Pirates] scored seven in the first [two innings]. It’s easier to pitch there, and the goal there is more to give us length, because the margin for error is a lot greater. The margin for error isn’t quite as big, so you just gotta execute pitches a little bit finer.”

The Pirates have scored 5.75 runs per start for Skenes. However, the Pirates’ offense has been feast-or-famine when Skenes is on the mound. Five of his 12 starts have resulted in the Pirates scoring nine or more runs. However, Pittsburgh has only scored one run in four of his last five starts. That included a 1-0 win against the Milwaukee Brewers in which Skenes threw seven no-hit innings while striking out 11 before leaving the game after 99 pitches.

And with Skenes’ performance Tuesday, he actually made history, albeit in a loss despite a tremendous outing.

OptaSTATS @OptaSTATSTonight Paul Skenes:

– got 25+ outs
– allowed fewer than 5 hits
– walked nobody
– struck out 8+

No other MLB rookie in the modern era has done all of that and yet suffered the loss. pic.twitter.com/RkuTjLjoqd

Skenes, who started for the National League in the All-Star Game, is still enjoying an amazing season. He’s gone 6-1 with a 1.93 ERA (0.87 WHIP) while striking out 97 over 74.2 innings.

The ex-LSU star’s next start will be Monday at the Houston Astros.