Paul Skenes struck out seven over four-plus innings in his major league debut and Yasmani Grandal hit a go-ahead three-run homer as the Pittsburgh Pirates edged the Chicago Cubs 10-9 on Saturday.
Skenes, the top overall pick in the 2023 draft, showed flashes of why he is considered perhaps the best pitching prospect in a generation. The 21-year-old — who was greeted by a standing ovation by most of the near-capacity crowd, including girlfriend Livvy Dunne — reached 100 mph on 17 of his 84 pitches.He was electric at times but hardly perfect.
"In fact I said to Connor on the way up, I forgot he hit a three-run homer, it was so long ago. But I think the fact offensively we kept grinding ... very proud of our offensive group."David Bednar allowed Michael Tauchman's sacrifice fly in the ninth but got Cody Bellinger to fly out to deep right field with the tying run on third to pick up his seventh save.Miles Mastrobuoni had three hits for the Cubs. Tauchman and Seiya Suzuki added two hits apiece for Chicago.
United States Latest News, United States Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Pirates to call up Paul Skenes for MLB debut vs. CubsThe Pirates are calling up star prospect Paul Skenes, and the hard-throwing right-hander is expected to debut Saturday at PNC Park against the Cubs.
Read more »
Pittsburgh Pirates top prospect Paul Skenes scheduled to make MLB debut Saturday vs. Chicago CubsThe Paul Skenes era is ready to begin in Pittsburgh. The top pick in last year’s amateur draft will make his major league debut for the Pirates on Saturday when they face the Chicago Cubs.
Read more »
Paul Skenes Delivers Debut Gem Despite Pirates Late Collapse Against CubsThe Chicago Cubs were the first team to draw a start against Paul Skenes, one of baseball’s most touted pitching prospects.
Read more »
Pirates' Paul Skenes permits first homer as pro in Triple-APitching in Triple-A, star Pirates prospect Paul Skenes allowed his first career home run as a pro on Sunday.
Read more »
Pirates prospect Paul Skenes strikes out seven in MLB debutPaul Skenes, the top-ranked pitching prospect in baseball, had a promising major league debut for the Pittsburgh Pirates on Saturday at PNC Park, working into the fifth inning against the Chicago Cubs while throwing 17 pitches of 100 mph or more.
Read more »
Pirates' Paul Skenes details how Olivia Dunne has provided 'great' support leading up to MLB debutTop MLB prospect Paul Skenes was under pressure in the days leading up to his big league debut at PNC Park, but the LSU product benefited from a support system.
Read more »