Paul Skenes struck out nine batters and allowed only two hits over five innings, helping the Pittsburgh Pirates defeat the Cincinnati Reds 2-0 on Sunday.
Skenes (11-3) achieved his 16th game with seven or more strikeouts, moving past Larry McWilliams (1983) for the seventh-most by a Pirates starter in a season.
“He’s special,” said Pirates manager Derek Shelton. “He continues to evolve. I mean the change-up today was elite. You don’t see a guy in his rookie year be able to throw multiple weapons at you and continue to get better.”
In three games against the Reds, the 22-year-old right-hander has allowed just one earned run while striking out 25 batters in 17 innings.
“He (Skenes) dominated really,” said Reds manager David Bell. “He had a really good change-up. It is kind of the growth from the last time we faced him. That pitch was a difference maker for him today.”
Skenes lowered his ERA to 1.99 on Sunday, the second-lowest after 22 career starts, behind Steve Rogers’ 1.95 ERA from 1973-74 with the Montreal Expos.
“He’s got a lot of pitches and throws them for strikes,” said Reds first baseman Ty France. “He throws them where he wants, when he wants.”
Shelton mentioned that Skenes knew he had a five-inning limit on Sunday. His 73 pitches were the fewest he’s thrown in a game this season while going five innings.
“That’s something I needed to be better at the entire year,” Skenes said. “I’m glad that it happened that way today, just better execution in counts.”
Oneil Cruz hit his 21st home run in the first inning, and Nick Yorke hit his first career homer off Fernando Cruz in the fifth inning, giving the Pirates a two-run lead. Pittsburgh recorded a shutout for the 12th time this season.
Hunter Greene (9-5) made his first start since dealing with right elbow soreness in mid-August. He pitched three innings, allowing one run on two hits while striking out four.
