PITTSBURGH -- Paul Skenes reached some personal bests on Sunday. However, the Pirates' ace also matched a career worst in a 6-0 loss to the Phillies at PNC Park.
Skenes ran his scoreless-innings streak to a career-high 20 before allowing two runs in the fifth inning, on a groundout by Justin Crawford and a single by Trea Turner.
Skenes’ career-high streak of 39 consecutive innings without issuing a walk ended when Adolis García drew one to lead off the fifth. It was the longest streak by a Pirates pitcher since Bob Friend went 46 1/3 innings in 1963.
However, Skenes also allowed a career-high-tying five runs in five-plus innings as the Pirates were swept in the three-game series on Rivalry Weekend. He allowed six hits, struck out seven, and walked one.
Skenes’ problems started with the García walk to start the fifth. Skenes struck out Bryson Stott, but JT Realmuto singled to put runners on the corners. Justin Crawford then grounded out to shortstop -- on a spectacular sprawling stop in the hole by fellow rookie Konnor Griffin, allowing García to score.
Realmuto advanced to second on the play and scored on Trea Turner’s single.
Bryce Harper led off the sixth with a home run. After Alec Bohm singled and Brandon Marsh doubled, manager Don Kelly pulled Skenes. Isaac Mattson allowed both inherited runners to score on a double by Stott that stretched the Phillies’ lead to 5-0.
“Obviously, we talked about their offense and how good they are,” Kelly said of the Phillies. “I think the leadoff walk to García, JT got the base hit. Konnor made a heck of a play on that one ball, and then Turner shot one the other way. And then in the sixth, with the homer, then back-to-back base hits, it just seemed like [Skenes] was tired out there.”
Skenes (6-3) threw 92 pitches on an 81-degree day but didn't think fatigue played a factor in his performance.
“Other than one pitch, I thought it was really good against them,” Skenes said. “Sometimes you throw a pitch, and they take you yard. You can’t get too hung up on that. I just didn’t execute a few pitches, and they got to them. It’s challenging, but it’s the big leagues; every lineup is good. Just got to execute a little more consistently.”
The Pirates were shut out for a second straight game. Zack Wheeler and two relievers combined on a five-hitter in the finale after Cristopher Sánchez threw a six-hitter against Pittsburgh in Friday's loss.
Considering the way the Pirates’ offense was stymied again, Kelly didn’t want to assign too much blame to Skenes for Sunday’s loss.
“I think that it was combined with struggling offensively, yesterday with Sánchez, and then today with Wheeler,” Kelly said. “[Wheeler] was really good, and we didn't get anything going offensively, which I think makes it feel like more of a blow. But I think it was more attributed to the offense not being able to get anything going momentum-wise.”