In a game that showcased both elite pitching and late-inning drama, the Pittsburgh Pirates fell 2-1 to the Baltimore Orioles in 10 innings on Wednesday night, making it back to back nights they lost in extra innings. Despite the loss, rookie sensation Paul Skenes continued his historic campaign, striking out eight over five scoreless innings and notching his 200th strikeout of the season, a milestone that places him in rare company among Pirates pitchers..
Skenes was dominant from the outset, allowing just two hits and walking none across a season-low 64 pitches. His fifth-inning punchouts of Samuel Basallo and Dylan Carlson pushed his season total to 203 strikeouts, making him only the second Pirates pitcher in the modern era to reach 200 Ks in fewer than 180 innings, joining Óliver Pérez’s 2004 campaign. With a league-best 1.92 ERA over 178 innings, Skenes continues to build a compelling case for NL Cy Young.
The Pirates held a 1-0 lead into the eighth, thanks to a solo homer from Spencer Horwitz, the only hit off Baltimore starter Tyler Wells, who was otherwise brilliant in 6 2/3 innings of work. But the Orioles clawed back late, with Jackson Holliday tying the game in the eighth off reliever Isaac Mattson. In the 10th, rookie Dylan Beavers delivered his first career walk-off hit, a single off Kyle Nicolas that scored the automatic runner and sealed Baltimore’s seventh win in eight games.
Pittsburgh’s offense struggled to capitalize on opportunities, going 0-for-6 with runners in scoring position and leaving seven men on base. Oneil Cruz reached third on a wild pitch in the 10th but was stranded, as Albert Suárez (2-0) closed the door with a clean inning for Baltimore. The Pirates bullpen, which had been reliable in recent weeks, couldn’t hold the slim lead, and the bats failed to provide insurance.
While the loss stings, Skenes’ performance continues to be the silver lining in Pittsburgh’s season. His poise, velocity, and command have transformed the rotation, and with three potential starts remaining, he could push toward 230 strikeouts.
The Pirates will look to bounce back Thursday with Johan Oviedo (2-0) on the mound against Baltimore’s Cade Povich (3-7, 5.16 ERA). Pittsburgh will try and avoid getting swept back-to-back by Milwaukee and Baltimore.