Paul Skenes retired the first nine batters he faced before allowing three hits, including a two-run home run to Trevor Larnach, in the fourth inning of a 2-1 loss to the Twins that extended the Pirates' losing streak to seven games tonight at Target Field.
It was the only significant blemish in yet another relatively short outing for Skenes. He allowed the lone two runs on five hits and struck out six in five innings. Skenes has now pitched five or fewer innings in five of his last six starts dating back to June 13. Still, he and Detroit's TarikSkubal currently lead all of Major League Baseball in innings pitched (121).
The Pirates had plenty of opportunities to push runs across, collecting eight hits and squandering two particular opportunities with a runner on third base. They went 1 for 8 with runners in scoring position, left eight runners on base, and were limited to a lone run on a fourth-inning double by Isiah Kiner-Falefa. Jack Suwinski stole second in the ninth after pinch-running for Spencer Horwitz. But Adam Frazier and Kiner-Falefa struck out back-to-back to end the game.
"Losing streaks are terrible when you go through it. The players feel it, everybody feels it, the fans feel it, everybody feels it. It stinks. " Don Kelly said. "I think the thing I'm proud of with these guys is they continue to battle, even in the ninth inning against a tough closer. Find a way to get one. Jack steals second base. We're finishing games, we're right there, one run. We just need to find a way to get over the hump."
• Lost seven in a row • 12-36 away from PNC Park • 26-31 under Kelly
► THENUMBER
17: Pitchers in Major League Baseball history, including Skenes, who struck out 300 or more batters over their first 43 starts.
► THE NEXT THREE
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THE ASYLUM
Twins 2, Pirates 1: Skenes abandoned again
Paul Skenes retired the first nine batters he faced before allowing three hits, including a two-run home run to Trevor Larnach, in the fourth inning of a 2-1 loss to the Twins that extended the Pirates' losing streak to seven games tonight at Target Field.
It was the only significant blemish in yet another relatively short outing for Skenes. He allowed the lone two runs on five hits and struck out six in five innings. Skenes has now pitched five or fewer innings in five of his last six starts dating back to June 13. Still, he and Detroit's Tarik Skubal currently lead all of Major League Baseball in innings pitched (121).
The Pirates had plenty of opportunities to push runs across, collecting eight hits and squandering two particular opportunities with a runner on third base. They went 1 for 8 with runners in scoring position, left eight runners on base, and were limited to a lone run on a fourth-inning double by Isiah Kiner-Falefa. Jack Suwinski stole second in the ninth after pinch-running for Spencer Horwitz. But Adam Frazier and Kiner-Falefa struck out back-to-back to end the game.
"Losing streaks are terrible when you go through it. The players feel it, everybody feels it, the fans feel it, everybody feels it. It stinks. " Don Kelly said. "I think the thing I'm proud of with these guys is they continue to battle, even in the ninth inning against a tough closer. Find a way to get one. Jack steals second base. We're finishing games, we're right there, one run. We just need to find a way to get over the hump."
► THE COVERAGE
From our staff on the scene:
• Staff Snaps: Greetings from Target Field
• Friday Insider: All the requisite Nutting/Cherington answers
• Draft Preview: Pirates eyeing talent, not need, at No. 6
• Live Qs: Ask Jose anything
• Minors: Taylor homers twice
► THE HIGHLIGHTS
► MORE POSTGAME VIDEO
• Manager: Kelly's press conference
• Players: Inside the clubhouse
► THE BOXSCORE
► MORE GAME DATA
• Hitter breakdowns
• Pitcher breakdowns
• Updated statistics
• Season schedule
► THE STANDINGS
► THE TRENDS
• Lost seven in a row
• 12-36 away from PNC Park
• 26-31 under Kelly
► THE NUMBER
17: Pitchers in Major League Baseball history, including Skenes, who struck out 300 or more batters over their first 43 starts.
► THE NEXT THREE
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