Paul Skenes Just Threw 8 Innings of Pure Dominance and the Diamondbacks Had No Answer

Paul Skenes was absolutely untouchable Wednesday night in Phoenix, allowing just two hits over eight innings as the Pittsburgh Pirates blanked the Arizona Diamondbacks 1-0. The right-hander struck out seven, walked zero, and left Arizona's lineup completely helpless. One solo homer from Brandon Lowe in the first was all Pittsburgh needed.

Skenes Put on a Masterclass

This was the longest scoreless outing of Skenes' career, and it showed why he's one of the most electric arms in baseball right now. He retired the first 14 batters he faced before Lourdes Gurriel Jr. reached on an infield tapper in the fifth. Nolan Arenado followed with a single to left, but Skenes locked in and retired 10 straight after that. In the eighth, he struck out the side, getting Gurriel, Arenado, and Moreno all swinging. His pitch count sat at 97 when manager Don Kelly told him he was done for the night.

What's wild is that Skenes has now gone four straight starts without walking a single batter. He's issued just seven free passes in 42 innings this season. This outing marked the fourth time in his career he's pitched at least eight innings, though he hasn't reached nine innings in a game yet.

One Swing Was All It Took

Lowe came up with one out in the first inning and jumped on Soroka's fourth pitch of the night, sending a changeup over the 25-foot wall in center field. The blast traveled 435 feet and that single swing was the difference in a 1-0 game. Lowe finished with two hits, as did Bryan Reynolds for the Pirates.

Pittsburgh had another chance to add on in the seventh when Konnor Griffin led off with a single and stole second. Kevin Ginkel replaced Soroka and immediately balked Griffin to third, but Arizona's defense escaped. Oniel Cruz hit a hard grounder that Ketel Marte turned into an out at the plate, and the Diamondbacks held serve.

The Details That Matter

Gregory Soto closed it out in the ninth for his second save, walking Geraldo Perdomo with one out before retiring Marte on a fly ball and Corbin Carroll on a game-ending grounder to first.

Michael Soroka took the loss for Arizona, allowing one run and seven hits in 6 1/3 innings while striking out six. The Pirates are now 4-1 in their past five games. The Diamondbacks have lost five of their past six.

This article was created with AI assistance and reviewed by Seattle On Tap editorial staff. Always verify information with official team sources.