A frustrating weekend against their cross-state rivals concluded with a 6-0 Pirates loss to the Phillies on Sunday at PNC Park, as Philadelphia did what much of Major League Baseball has not been able to do by making life difficult on Paul Skenes.
The Phillies scored five runs on five-plus innings against the Pirates ace and amassed more hard contact than anyone all season.
Meanwhile, the Pirates generated next to nothing against the ace on the other side, Zack Wheeler. The Phillies right-hander worked seven scoreless innings, allowing just four hits while walking one and striking out seven.
This marks the first time this season the Pirates have been blanked in back-to-back games, the sixth time overall.
It was actually the same score as Saturday, when the Phillies roughed up Bubba Chandler in a three-inning start. Philadelphia erased a five-run deficit after six innings to earn a comeback victory over the Pirates on Friday night.
The Pirates head to St. Louis Monday saddled with their second three-game losing streak of the season following a 2-4 homestand. Their overall record dropped to 24-23.
The Phillies’ offensive push in this one started in the fifth inning, when right fielder Adolis Garcia drew a leadoff walk. It was the first free pass issued by Paul Skenes in a span of 39 innings.
That was the longest such streak for a Pirates pitcher since Bob Friend didn’t walk anyone in 46 1/3 innings from May 28-June 22, 1963.
After catcher JT Realmuto’s single with one out in the fifth, center fielder Justin Crawford made it a 1-0 game with his grounder to short, caught by a diving Konnor Griffin.
Phillies shortstop Trea Turner upped the lead to 2-0 when he went the opposite way with a fastball down the middle.
First baseman Bryce Harper – who had four hits Friday and a homer Saturday – went deep again to open the sixth , pouncing on a sinker Skenes left out over the plate.
It turned into a rout via Bryson Stott’s double off Isaac Mattson an inning later, the Phillies second baseman this time going down to get a four-seam fastball that was actually located decently well.
Stott added a solo shot off Dennis Santana in the eighth.
Skenes’ day
It looked like what has become a normal outing for Skenes early on, the right-hander not allowing a hit until the fourth inning and racking up five strikeouts through three innings. But it turned out to be the second-worst outing of Skenes’ season behind Opening Day.
The Phillies amassed six hits, four for extra bases. Philadelphia registered nine hard-hit balls (95 mph or more) against Skenes, including five via his fastball.
For context, Skenes had allowed eight hard-hit balls in his previous two starts combined. Through nine starts this season, Skenes was giving up an average of four hard-hit balls per game.
Lowe-ch
It looked like the Pirates might have had a sliver of good news to open the sixth inning whenever Brandon Lowe cranked an inside fastball from Zack Wheeler over the right-field fence. It would’ve been just the second home run anyone has hit off Wheeler this season.
But instead, a crew chief review determined that a fan reached over the wall to interfere with a ball in play, relegating Lowe to a double. Bryan Reynolds grounded out to first base to end the inning.
O'Hearn out four weeks
Appearing on the Pirates Insider Show on 93.7 The Fan Sunday, general manager Ben Cherington said Ryan O'Hearn would miss around four weeks with a right quad strain.
“It’s on the moderate side," Cherington said, "but it’s not going to be a 10-day thing."
It will be interesting to see what the Pirates do here. They started Jared Triolo in right field on Sunday. He's a natural infielder who on Saturday looked out of place in right field. Nick Yorke and Billy Cook, who have more recent experience in the outfield, both sat.
Jhostynxon Garcia, who had five hits and three home runs in his first game back after lower-back tightness with Triple-A Indianapolis early last week, could be an option now that regular playing time exists.
The Pirates also brought back Jake Mangum from he 10-day IL, as expected. He started in center field and went 0 for 2 with a walk.
Bart out 'weeks, not days'
Another injury updated Cherington offered was on Joey Bart, who's out with a cut on his left foot that became infected.
Cherington described it as "weeks, not days" before Bart can return, meaning Endy Rodriguez will get an opportunity to prove himself behind the plate.
Jason Mackey: Jason.Mackey@pirates.com and @JMackey_PGH.