NEW YORK -- Right-hander Paul Skenes is usually the dominator when he is on the mound. But on Opening Day 2026 on Thursday at Citi Field, Skenes was hit hard in the first inning against the Mets and was chased from the game after allowing five runs while throwing 37 pitches in two-thirds of an inning. It was the shortest outing of Skenes’ career.
The Pirates took a 2-0 lead in the top of the first inning when Brandon Lowe hit a two-run homer off right-hander Freddy Peralta. Then came the crazy turn of events.
It was never easy for Skenes from the start. The first two hitters he faced -- Francisco Lindor and Juan Soto -- reached base on a walk and a single, respectively, to put runners on first and third. Bo Bichette followed and hit a sacrifice fly, scoring Lindor.
Three batters later, the Mets had the bases loaded when Brett Baty hit a sharp line drive to center fielder Oneil Cruz, who misjudged the ball and let it soar over his head for a three-run triple to give New York a 4-2 lead. Cruz then lost an easy fly ball in the sun hit by Marcus Semien that allowed Baty to score the fifth run of the game.
After striking out Carson Benge and hitting Francisco Alvarez with a pitch, Skenes left the game and was replaced by Yohan Ramírez.
Skenes’ two-thirds of an inning was the shortest season debut by a reigning Cy Young winner, among those whose first appearance was a start.