Paul Skenes had a strong debut in the major leagues, striking out seven batters over four-plus innings. Yasmani Grandal then hit a crucial three-run homer, helping the Pittsburgh Pirates narrowly defeat the Chicago Cubs 10-9 on Saturday.
Skenes, who was selected as the top overall pick in the 2023 draft, showcased his immense talent, regularly reaching speeds of 100 mph on his pitches.
Despite giving up runs in every inning he pitched and allowing a home run to Nico Hoerner in the fourth, Skenes showed glimpses of his potential.
He acknowledged that he needs to consistently get ahead of batters but remains optimistic about his future performances.
After Skenes left the game, Pittsburgh’s bullpen struggled, allowing the Cubs to score seven runs and take the lead, mainly due to walks with the bases loaded. However, the Pirates’ offense came through when needed.
Grandal’s homer, his first with the Pirates, gave Pittsburgh the lead once again in the bottom of the fifth inning.
