Paul Skenes struck out six batters, ending a four-start winless streak, and the Pittsburgh Pirates broke their 10-game losing streak with a 5-3 win over the Seattle Mariners on Friday night.
Skenes (7-2) had been winless in his last two starts before this game. He allowed two runs and three hits and gave up a career-high four walks over six innings. This was his first win since July 11, which was right before he started for the National League in the All-Star Game.
Skenes was more pleased that the Pirates got their first win since August 3 than ending his own winless streak.
“It feels good. Definitely doesn’t feel good that we had the streak in the first place,” Skenes said. “It’s nice to do it at home and get it out of the way. Hopefully, we can put it behind us.”
Pirates manager Derek Shelton was impressed with Skenes, even though he wasn’t at his best.
“It didn’t look like he was in sync with his delivery throughout the entire game, and he was still able to give us a good start and give us a chance to win and he got the win,” Shelton said.
David Bednar managed a tough ninth inning to earn his 21st save. Jorge Polanco homered to start the inning, bringing the Mariners closer at 5-3. Luke Raley added a single, but Bednar struck out the last three batters to close the game.
Bednar, a two-time All-Star, had struggled recently with two losses and two blown saves in his last three games.
Logan Gilbert (7-9) took the loss for the Mariners, allowing four runs, three of them earned, and five hits in 6 1/3 innings. He had six strikeouts and two walks and did not achieve a quality start for the seventh time in 26 outings this season.
The Mariners lost their fourth straight game after being swept in a three-game series in Detroit. They entered the game three games behind first-place Houston in the American League West and 3 ½ games out of the third wild card spot.
“We had good at-bats against Skenes,” Mariners manager Scott Servais said. “We wanted to be aggressive, and we stuck to the plan. It’s just that he’s a really good pitcher. We did a good job against him.”
