In just his second major league start, Paul Skenes pitched 6 innings of no-hit baseball against the Chicago Cubs

The legend of Pittsburgh Pirates’ Paul Skenes continued today in just his second start of his Major League Baseball career.

Skenes carried a perfect game into the 5th inning and a no hitter into the seventh but since his pitch count was already at 100, he was pulled for reliever Carmen Mlodzinski.

Quick Recap from Paul Skenes Major League Debut Last Week…

Skenes made his Major League Debut last week in the Pirates’ 10-9 win over the Chicago Cubs last week – allowing three earned runs on six hits while striking out seven. Outside of a solo shot from Nico Hoerner in the 4th, Skenes lived up to the hype, notching seven strikeouts and two walks on 84 pitches. 

After Skenes allowed the first two batters to reach base in the fifth inning, Pirates’ manager Derek Shelton pulled him, which Pittsburgh fans clearly didn’t like as they chanted “Fire Shelton” from the stands at PNC Park. 

Second Start: Paul Skenes Strikes Out 7-Straight to Start the Game

Today, Paul Skenes continued to dominate against the Cubs, starting the game by striking out SEVEN STRAIGHT batters.

Paul Skenes's 6th Consecutive Strikeout to start the Game.

101.2 MPH with 17 inches of Run. 😳 pic.twitter.com/HGuKgImnfK

— Rob Friedman (@PitchingNinja) May 17, 2024

Paul Skenes Perfect Game Into the 5th Inning 

Skenes remained untouchable into the bottom of the fifth inning. His perfect game bid ended when this was called a ball instead of a strike. Skenes issued a walk on the very next pitch.

This was called a ball instead of strike three. Paul Skenes lost his perfect game on ball four the next pitch pic.twitter.com/rZmbEaGnfi

— Talkin’ Baseball (@TalkinBaseball_) May 17, 2024

Paul Skenes allowed zero hits and the one walk above while striking out 11. He allowed just one baserunner while getting ahead in the count with at least two strikes on SEVENTEEN hitters he faced through six innings.

Paul Skenes, 11th K.

100mph on his 100th Pitch. pic.twitter.com/84tpA5huyV

— Rob Friedman (@PitchingNinja) May 17, 2024

With his pitch count at 100, Carmen Mlodzinski entered the game in relief for the Pirates and carried Skenes’ no-hitter for two outs before Christopher Morel broke up the combined no-hitter with a single to right field.

The Pirates are still in complete control of this game, leading 8-0 heading into the eighth inning. Pittsburgh is currently 20-25 on the season and in third place in the NL Central, trailing the first place Brewers by seven games and the second-place Chicago Cubs by five games.

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