Matthew Leland Skrmetta graduated from Satellite High School in Satellite Beach, Fla., in 1990 and attended Jacksonville (Fla.) University.
2001
Skrmetta pitched for Louisville, the Reds Triple-A affiliate in the International League...went 2-4 with 6 saves and a 2.48 ERA in 46 relief appearances.
Logged a 2-1 record with 4 saves and a 1.52 ERA in 25 games at home (29.2 IP, 5 ER)...went 0-3 with 2 saves and a 3.65 ERA on the road (24.2 IP, 10 ER).
Started the season strong, going 1-1 with a 1.13 ERA in 7 outings in April (8.0 IP, 1 ER).
Contract was purchased on April 27...was optioned back to Louisville on April 29 without appearing in a game.
Recorded 3 saves and a 0.69 ERA in 10 games in July...allowed just 1 run on 4 hits over 13.0 innings while walking 2 and striking out 15 batters.
2000
Spent most of the season at the Triple-A level, where he combined for a 1-3 record with a 5.02 ERA and 12 saves in 39 relief appearances for Montrealbs Ottawa affiliate and Pittsburghbs Nashville affiliate.
Began the season at Ottawa and was promoted to Montreal on May 31 after posting a 1.98 ERA in his last 14 games prior to the move.
Made his Major League debut on June 6 vs. the Yankees (2 BB, 2 ER).
Appeared in 5 more games for the Expos before being designated for assignment on June 18...returned to Ottawa.
Traded to the Pirates on Aug. 12 and played in 7 games with Nashville before being promoted to the Pirates on Sept. 1.
Earned his 1st Major League victory in his Pirates debut at San Diego on Sept. 3...threw 1.1 scoreless innings in a 13-inning, 8-6 win.
Collected a 12-8 victory at Philadelphia on Sept. 19.
Minor League Notes
Skrmetta was selected by the Tigers in the 26th round of the 1993 June Free Agent Draft and spent his 1st professional season in Bristol (Rookie).
Spent the 1994 season at Jamestown (A) and shared for the staff lead and tied for the New York-Penn League lead with 15 starts...led the club with 93.2 innings.
Worked his 1st full season as a reliever with Fayetteville (A) in 1995...averaged 10.6 strikeouts per 9 innings and ranked 2nd on the staff with 9 wins.
Pitched for Lakeland (A) in 1996, where he ranked 2nd on the club with 40 appearances...played winter ball for West Oahu in Hawaii.
Combined to go 2-4 with 1 save and a 3.54 ERA at Rancho Cucamonga (A) and Mobile (AA) in 1997.
Spent the 1998 season at Mobile...led the Southern League with 51 appearances.
Combined to go 3-4 with 2 saves and a 5.05 ERA at Mobile and Las Vegas (AAA) in 1999.
