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Paul Skenes dominates with 6 no-hit innings in 2nd career start
By Paul Harvey
Published:
Paul Skenes’ highly anticipated MLB debut has come and gone. Now, the attention turns to the rest of Skenes’ rookie season after ascending through the ranks of the Pittsburgh Pirates less than a year removed from becoming the No. 1 pick in the draft.
In his debut, Skenes flashed his electric potential with 7 strikeouts and his triple-digit fastball that blew hitters away. However, he was not without his struggles, leaving in the 5th inning and eventually getting charged with 3 earned runs across 4 completed innings.
On Friday, Skenes was back on the mound, this time on the road against the Chicago Cubs. His first appearance in historic Wrigley Field was magical, and he electrified those in attendance.
Skenes started the game by striking out the side in the bottom of the 1st inning. Each 3rd strike of the inning came on a pitch of 100+ MPH.
Skenes strikes out the side in the 1st on straight heat ? pic.twitter.com/f33WOJstaJ
— MLB (@MLB) May 17, 2024
Unbelievably, the bottom of the 2nd inning went in the same fashion as the 1st inning. Skenes struck out the side, though he did begin mixing in more pitches to register the punchouts in the heart of the order.
Paul Skenes has struck out the first six batters he’s faced today pic.twitter.com/xyROYVFqYa
— Talkin’ Baseball (@TalkinBaseball_) May 17, 2024
Skenes would finish with a streak of 7 consecutive strikeouts to start the game, and that was just the beginning for Skenes. He made it through 4 innings without even allowing a base runner to go with 9 strikeouts.
Skenes final pitch of the 6th inning came at 100 MPH, but it was also his 100th pitch of the game. As expected, Skenes would be pulled for the 7th with the Pirates trying to protect their young star, but that does not diminish the impact of his outing.
Skenes wrapped up the day with 6 no-hit innings and allowed just 1 walk to 11 strikeouts. It’s the first game of 10+ strikeouts for Skenes and comes in his 2nd-ever start at the MLB level.
All 11 Paul Skenes strikeouts from his six no-hit innings! pic.twitter.com/mFvcfYhKLY
— Talkin’ Baseball (@TalkinBaseball_) May 17, 2024
RELATED: Paul Skenes debut: Updated betting odds, best picks for Skenes’ rookie season
Barring a massive comeback from the Cubs, this will go down as Skenes’ first career win. It’s also likely just the first of many games with at least 10 strikeouts for the budding ace.
Here’s how the MLB world reacted to Skenes’ latest:
Appointment viewing. pic.twitter.com/pcWqw2fGl2
— Jeff Passan (@JeffPassan) May 17, 2024
fastest strike 3 by a starter in wrigley field history ? https://t.co/yA73N876xH
— Codify (@CodifyBaseball) May 17, 2024
this might be one of the most disgusting pitches i’ve ever seen, and it’s 101 MPH https://t.co/pbGAmgrCv5
— matt (@yinzzzerr) May 17, 2024
Paul Skenes is just playing with his food at this point. pic.twitter.com/8UlhiHgFbS
— Rob Friedman (@PitchingNinja) May 17, 2024
100th pitch ? 100 MPH strikeout
Make it SIX no-hit innings for Paul Skenes! pic.twitter.com/gNtaKC3xNJ
— MLB (@MLB) May 17, 2024
Paul Skenes is somehow just as good as advertised, and he was advertised as the best young pitcher we’ve seen in a long time
6IP 0H 11K 22 whiffs
Must watch every time he’s on a mound
— Eric Hubbs (@BarstoolHubbs) May 17, 2024
Paul Skenes. SHOVING. ?
6 IP, 0 H, 1 BB, 11 K
Hit 100 MPH on his 100th pitch ⛽️ pic.twitter.com/okHZ5sn7Hh
— B/R Walk-Off (@BRWalkoff) May 17, 2024
Ladies and Gents … Paul Skenes! ? pic.twitter.com/nj3ueK0qJK
— Hannah Mears (@mearshannah_) May 17, 2024
Paul Harvey lives in Atlanta and covers SEC football.