Takeaways: What's fueled this run for Paul Skenes, including Tuesday's gem against the Rockies

Paul Skenes is on some kind of run, isn’t he? Brandon Lowe joked after Skenes’ last start how this has seemingly become a thing, flirting with a perfect game or a no-hitter every time. He’s not wrong.

Skenes has been dialed in, although that idea by itself is unique when it comes to the Pirates ace, who continues to dominate anyone who dares to step into the batter’s box against him.

Skenes carried a perfect game into the fifth and a no-hitter into the seventh inning while delivering yet another incredible outing, this time eight innings of shutout ball to carry the Pirates to a 3-1 victory over the Rockies Tuesday at PNC Park.

While throwing up zeroes for the third time in his past four starts, Skenes allowed just two hits, didn’t walk anyone and struck out 10. He threw 98 pitches, 68 for strikes and lowered his ERA to 1.98, third-lowest in the National League.

"The way he’s been throwing the ball lately, it was electric," Pirates manager Don Kelly said. "He was efficient. He stayed in the zone. Mixing everything in. He did an unbelievable job."

I like the way Oneil Cruz said it better.

“We know what Paul can do,” Cruz said, with major league coach Stephen Morales translating. “Today was one of those days.”

Tuesday marked the second consecutive game Skenes has gone eight innings while allowing two hits along with no runs or walks, nearly matching what he did six days ago against the Diamondbacks at Chase Field.

When Skenes threw to first to get Ezequiel Tovar to complete the outing, he made a slow walk to the dugout while the 13,516 in attendance showered him with cheers.

Pirates fans clearly enjoyed another dazzling effort from Skenes, but what might be most important is his consistency, how he doesn’t change from start to start, how he’s worked to stay incredibly even-keeled since college.

Skenes has been on an absolute heater. You just wouldn’t know it by how he carries himself or works.

"Every five days it's a brand new thing,” Skenes said. “At the end of the day, why does one start build off another? Because you're executing well. There are certainly times in the season when you're executing pitches better than others, but in terms of mentality and how you're going into each start, that's not the way to do it. Every start is new, and you can get humbled real quick."

Skenes recorded one out in the seventh before center fielder Mickey Moniak spoiled the fun. Cruz made a valiant, diving effort on Moniak’s sinking liner but couldn’t come up with it. Cruz later joked that he doesn't chase after his kids that aggressively.

No worries. Skenes followed by getting a popout to first base and a flyout to Cruz.

With 10 strikeouts, Skenes enjoyed his fourth career game of double-digit punchouts and first since July 6, 2025 in Seattle. This actually represented the first time Skenes has finished with double-digit strikeouts at PNC Park.

Skenes’ previous two times striking out 10 or more occurred May 17, 2024 at the Cubs and July 11, 2024 at the Brewers.

“I made pitches good enough to get outs throughout the night,” Skenes said. “Some of my pitches weren't as sharp as they normally have been, but I got them to good spots."

Breaking down Skenes’ 10 strikeouts, they came on three separate pitches, including six times using his four-seam fastball. The changeup accounted for three, Skenes’ sweeper one.

In his last start Skenes was especially happy with the command and execution of his fastball. It looked similar against the Rockies. Skenes put it where he wanted, and Colorado really couldn’t touch it.

Among Skenes’ 18 whiffs, 10 came on his four-seamer, which he threw about 9% more than usual.

“Fastball command was pretty good,” Skenes said. “Sinker was better than it has been even though we didn't throw it a ton. I was happy with the slider. Changeup was good at times. Splinker was alright."

That’s underselling it a bit. Skenes is now one of four Major League pitchers in the Modern Era to have back-to-back starts that included eight scoreless innings while allowing two or fewer hits and zero walks.

He also joins Bob Veale (September 1963) and Steve Blass (September 1968) as the only Pirates pitchers in that time with consecutive starts of eight scoreless innings and two or fewer hits allowed. Skenes, who hasn’t walked anyone since April 13, is the only one to issue zero walks in those starts.

“Being with Justin Verlander back in 2011, every time he took the mound, you were shocked when he gave up a hit,” Kelly said. “Paul is on that type of run right now. It’s impressive to watch.”

Oneil and the offense

Nick Gonzales, Brandon Lowe and Bryan Reynolds supplied the offense with run-scoring singles, but Kelly singled out Cruz in his postgame comments.

“I thought it was the most complete game Oneil Cruz has played,” Kelly said.

Cruz had three hits, including a pair of doubles, and scored two runs. Kelly loved Cruz’s aggressiveness and the reads and breaks he got in center field.

It hasn’t been perfect, but Cruz has gotten better in center field. He also has an .821 OPS with 10 home runs, 29 RBIs and 15 stolen bases.

“It means a lot coming from Donnie,” Cruz said. “My focus and my mind is into the game more. I have to give it to Marcell Ozuna. He’s always giving me advice and keeping me in the game mentally, to go out there and perform.”

Among some other numbers from that side:

• With two more hits, Gonzales is up to .321, sixth-best in the NL. He has 11 hits with runners in scoring position since April 15.

• Spencer Horwitz is hitting .370 with four doubles, nine RBIs and six walks over his past eight games.

• Cruz leads the Pirates and ranks 13th in MLB in total bases with 83.

More Skenes history

Skenes struck out the first six Rockies hitters he faced. It marked just the third time in the Expansion Era (1961 to present) that a Pirates pitcher has struck out six or more consecutive batters to open a game. Andrew Heaney was the last to do it, notching a half-dozen punchouts on April 23, 2025 at the Angels. Skenes whiffed seven to open that May 2024 game at Wrigley Field.

Skenes became the only Pirates pitcher in the Expansion Era to strike out the side at least three times in a single game, doing so in the first, second and sixth innings.

Jones shines (again)

Jared Jones completed his third rehab start on Tuesday, this time with Double-A Altoona. Once again, the right-hander was outstanding, delivering four scoreless innings while allowing just three hits.

Jones threw 52 pitches, 36 for strikes, and he struck out four. In three rehab starts totaling 10 innings, Jones has allowed just one earned run (0.90 ERA) with one walk and 11 strikeouts.

Given his buildup, it’s likely Jones will make at least two more rehab starts in the Minor Leagues before it’s possible he could rejoin the roster in late May.

Jason Mackey: Jason.Mackey@pirates.com and @JMackey_PGH.