Even in his first big league loss as a starter, Pirates rookie sensation Paul Skenes blew the competition away.
Skenes pitched into the ninth inning for the first time in his MLB career going 8 ⅓ innings allowing two runs on four hits while striking out eight batters at PNC Park on Tuesday night.
The right-hander did surrender a home run in the fifth and eventually gave up a game-winning RBI single to right to Cardinals right fielder Alec Burleson in what became a 2-1 loss for Pittsburgh.
Nevertheless, the game was an impressive showing for Skenes and the Pirates faithful let him know it.
Skenes (6-1, 1.93 ERA) was greeted by “MVP” chants when he returned to the mound in the ninth inning and fans were spotted sporting fake mustaches that looked similar to the real one Skenes sports.
“It was awesome, especially on a Tuesday night,” Skenes said about the chants, according to the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. “Kind of just shows where we’re at as a team, where the city’s at. Just really, really cool.
“Obviously, wish I could have finished it. It was a cool moment.”
Skenes had entered Tuesday’s start having posted a 1.90 ERA and a 6.85 strikeout-to-walk ratio in his first 11 starts in the big leagues this season.
But even with the first loss, Pirates manager Derek Shelton was complimentary of the effort.
“He was efficient. He was in the zone, he had no walks,” Shelton said. “He was pretty much in control the entire game.”
Tuesday was the first start for Skenes since the MLB All-Star break last week.
The rookie started for the National League in Texas last Tuesday.
Skenes has become a household name in the sports world not just for his talents on the mound, but additionally for his relationship with LSU gymnastics star Olivia “LIvvy” Dunne.
Dunne appeared to have been on hand for Tuesday’s game, according to a post on her social media.
