Ad Disclosure
Paul Skenes exits no-hit bid after 7 innings: Fans, media react to controversial decision
Published:
Paul Skenes was removed after 7 no-hit innings in his latest start for the Pittsburgh Pirates on Thursday afternoon.
Skenes threw 99 pitches before being taken out of the game in favor of setup man Colin Holderman. Holderman allowed hits to the first 2 Brewers batters he saw before getting out of the jam with Pittsburgh’s 1-0 lead still in-tact. Pittsburgh went on to win by that same score.
The decision to remove Skenes was certainly controversial. Often times, pitchers will be allowed to go over their usual pitch counts in order to preserve a no-hitter or perfect game. In this case, though, the Pirates opted for the safe route — both to protect Skenes from potential injury and in an effort to preserve their 1-run lead.
Skenes struck out 11 batters and walked 1 in his 7 innings of work. Entering today, Skenes’ career-high for pitches in a MLB game was 107, which he reached in his most recent start.
The conservative choice by Pittsburgh brought out plenty of reaction from fans on social media:
Paul Skenes taken out after 99 pitches sitting on a no hitter & 1-0 lead after 7 innings…
Freaking analytics man
— Cole Cubelic (@colecubelic) July 11, 2024
I get the pitch count thing and all, but if I’m Paul Skenes and I have a no hitter through 7 innings in my 11th career start. And it only took me 6 pitches to get the 3 outs in the 7th inning and I get pulled 6 outs away from history. I’d be so livid
— Ghost of Whip (@GhostofWhip) July 11, 2024
Paul Skenes, one of this year’s most electric, must-see pitchers, is pulled with a no-hitter in progress after 7 innings and 11 strikeouts.
No longer are pitchers given the opportunity to achieve greatness. Imagine pulling Gibson, Clemens or Mussina here? pic.twitter.com/RoovmYAnTA
— Not Gaetti (@notgaetti) July 11, 2024
Paul Skenes, 6 outs away from a no-hitter, gets pulled for Colin Holderman. Holderman promptly allows a single. Managerial masterclass from Derek Shelton pic.twitter.com/kiAZvFvzcj
— (@BakeK82) July 11, 2024
If I’m Paul Skenes I’m retiring from baseball right now. 99 pitches with a no-hitter and he’s pulled. Pirates going to Pirate
— ZF (@AtlBravesOwner) July 11, 2024
Paul Skenes is throwing a no-hitter. I turned it on of see him and the pulled him!!!????!! Guy is the hottest thing in mlb right now and they pulled him. ♂️
— Chris Malet (@Cmalet50) July 11, 2024
There was really no reason to pull Paul Skenes there. He was throwing effortlessly. I miss the days of pitchers being able to throw over 100 pitches and pitch complete games. This might be my strongest boomer take.
— Courtney Finnicum (@courtney883) July 11, 2024
This is the 2nd time Paul Skenes has had a no hitter going into the 8th and the Pirates pull him to begin the inning. Ughhh I hate this team. Please please just let him pitch.
— Nick Luzader (@NickLuzader) July 11, 2024
Skenes getting yanked is bogus. Two pitches after his departure, the no-no is broken. Let the boys play!
— B H (@bhuybs) July 11, 2024
This was the 11th start of Skenes’ MLB career. It’s already the second time he hasn’t allowed a hit. Back on May 17, Skenes pitched 6 no-hit innings against the Chicago Cubs in his second-career MLB start.
Skenes is having one of the best rookie seasons for a starting pitcher in recent memory — especially for one who is just 1 year into his professional career. Skenes has posted a 1.90 ERA and has struck out 89 batters in 66.1 innings of work this year.
With those numbers, Skenes is a significant betting favorite to take home NL Rookie of the Year honors. Per the latest odds at FanDuel, Skenes is -550 to win that award. He would be the first starting pitcher to win the NL Rookie of the Year award since Jacob DeGrom in 2014.
Skenes (+1200) is also currently 3rd in FanDuel odds to win the NL Cy Young Award. He trails only Zack Wheeler (+135) and Chris Sale (+135) in that regard. Skenes will likely end up pitching fewer innings than Wheeler and Sale, but he currently leads both in key categories like ERA and strikeouts-per-9 innings.
States: MA, NJ, PA, VA, MD, WV, TN, LA, KS, KY, NC, AZ, CO, IA, WY, IL, IN, OH, MI, NY
21+ and present in a state with legal sports gaming. Gambling problem? Call 1-800-Gambler.
Want to learn more about sports betting in Louisiana? Here’s Saturday Down South’s breakdown of all the best Louisiana betting apps on the market in 2024!
Spenser is a news editor for Saturday Down South and covers college football across all Saturday Football brands.
