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Paul Skenes debut best moments and highlights
nn”,”providerName”:”Twitter”,”providerUrl”:”https://twitter.com”,”thumbnail_url”:null,”type”:”oembed”,”width”:550,”contentType”:”rich”},{“__typename”:”Markdown”,”content”:”**The man of the hour arrives**nnThrough the magic of social media, we were able to watch the moment Skenes arrived at his locker before Saturday’s game. (It has to be an incredible feeling.)nn”Once in a lifetime experience for sure,” Skenes said. “Just an awesome experience from the first pitch. … I had a lot of people tell me to take it in, take it all in from \[the moment\] I walked outside … I’m really grateful for it.””,”type”:”text”},{“__typename”:”Markdown”,”content”:”* Leadoff hitter in Skenes and Strasburg debuts? The same former MVP“,”type”:”text”},{“__typename”:”OEmbed”,”html”:”
Behind the Skenes. pic.twitter.com/jD0vBPYG8V
— Pittsburgh Pirates (@Pirates) May 11, 2024
nnn”,”providerName”:”Twitter”,”providerUrl”:”https://twitter.com”,”thumbnail_url”:null,”type”:”oembed”,”width”:550,”contentType”:”rich”},{“__typename”:”Markdown”,”content”:”**First batter, first punchout**nnSkenes started off his big league career in style, striking out each of the first two hitters he faced — Mike Tauchman on a 100.9 mph four-seam fastball and Seiya Suzuki on an 84.2 mph slider. After walking Cody Bellinger, he retired Christopher Morel on a flyout to deep center to finish off a scoreless first inning.nn”Getting that early momentum was huge,” Skenes said. “… There were some jitters there early and some adrenaline, but really cool experience.”nnSkenes touched 100 mph nine times in the first inning, topping out at 101.9 mph — the fastest pitch by a Pirates starting pitcher in the pitch-tracking era (since 2008).”,”type”:”text”},{“__typename”:”Video”,”contentDate”:”2024-05-11T20:09:25.025Z”,”preferredPlaybackScenarioURL({“preferredPlaybacks”:”mp4AvcPlayback”})”:”https://mlb-cuts-diamond.mlb.com/FORGE/2024/2024-05/11/1f6f1136-69116fe1-35a8f0f5-csvm-diamondx64-asset_1280x720_59_4000K.mp4″,”type”:”video”,”description”:”Paul Skenes gets the first batter he faces, Mike Tauchman, to strike out swinging in the top of the 1st inning”,”displayAsVideoGif”:false,”duration”:”00:00:21″,”slug”:”paul-skenes-first-major-league-strikeout”,”tags”:[{“__typename”:”InternalTag”,”slug”:”season-2024″,”title”:”Season 2024″,”type”:”season”},{“__typename”:”GameTag”},{“__typename”:”PersonTag”,”slug”:”playerid-694973″,”title”:”Paul Skenes”,”person”:{“__ref”:”Person:694973″},”type”:”player”},{“__typename”:”TeamTag”,”slug”:”teamid-134″,”title”:”Pittsburgh Pirates”,”team”:{“__ref”:”Team:134″},”type”:”team”},{“__typename”:”TaxonomyTag”,”slug”:”pitching”,”title”:”pitching”,”type”:”taxonomy”},{“__typename”:”TaxonomyTag”,”slug”:”highlight”,”title”:”highlight”,”type”:”taxonomy”},{“__typename”:”TaxonomyTag”,”slug”:”in-game-highlight”,”title”:”in-game highlight”,”type”:”taxonomy”},{“__typename”:”TaxonomyTag”,”slug”:”game-action-tracking”,”title”:”game action tracking”,”type”:”taxonomy”},{“__typename”:”TaxonomyTag”,”slug”:”vod”,”title”:”vod”,”type”:”taxonomy”},{“__typename”:”TaxonomyTag”,”slug”:”career-first”,”title”:”career-first”,”type”:”taxonomy”},{“__typename”:”TaxonomyTag”,”slug”:”mlb-debut”,”title”:”MLB debut”,”type”:”taxonomy”},{“__typename”:”TaxonomyTag”,”slug”:”yahoo-in-game”,”title”:”Yahoo In-Game”,”type”:”taxonomy”},{“__typename”:”TaxonomyTag”,”slug”:”2-yahoo-mlb-ads-feed”,”title”:”2-Yahoo MLB Ads Feed”,”type”:”taxonomy”},{“__typename”:”TaxonomyTag”,”slug”:”imagen-feed”,”title”:”Imagen feed”,”type”:”taxonomy”},{“__typename”:”TaxonomyTag”,”slug”:”send-to-news-mlb-feed”,”title”:”Send To News MLB feed”,”type”:”taxonomy”},{“__typename”:”TaxonomyTag”,”slug”:”mlb-top-prospects”,”title”:”MLB Top Prospects”,”type”:”taxonomy”},{“__typename”:”TaxonomyTag”,”slug”:”alexa”,”title”:”alexa”,”type”:”taxonomy”},{“__typename”:”TaxonomyTag”,”slug”:”apple-news”,”title”:”Apple News”,”type”:”taxonomy”},{“__typename”:”TaxonomyTag”,”slug”:”eclat-feed”,”title”:”Eclat feed”,”type”:”taxonomy”},{“__typename”:”TaxonomyTag”,”slug”:”international-feed”,”title”:”International Partner feed”,”type”:”taxonomy”},{“__typename”:”TaxonomyTag”,”slug”:”fan-duel”,”title”:”Fan Duel”,”type”:”taxonomy”},{“__typename”:”TaxonomyTag”,”slug”:”star-of-the-game”,”title”:”Player of the Game”,”type”:”taxonomy”}],”thumbnail”:{“__typename”:”Thumbnail”,”templateUrl”:”https://img.mlbstatic.com/mlb-images/image/upload/{formatInstructions}/mlb/zstgfykcnc1dbnfsllwk”},”title”:”Paul Skenes’ first Major League strikeout”,”relativeSiteUrl”:”/video/paul-skenes-first-major-league-strikeout”},{“__typename”:”Markdown”,”content”:”**An escape act in the second**nnSkenes faced a bases-loaded jam with one out in his second inning of work, hitting Nico Hoerner with a pitch, walking Michael Busch on four pitches and allowing a single to Miles Mastrobuoni. However, he struck out Yan Gomes looking on a 101.2 mph fastball inside and got Tauchman to ground out to second base to work out of trouble. Skenes’ strikeout of Gomes set the record for the fastest K by a Bucs starter in the pitch-tracking era (since 2008).”,”type”:”text”},{“__typename”:”Video”,”contentDate”:”2024-05-11T20:32:24.195Z”,”preferredPlaybackScenarioURL({“preferredPlaybacks”:”mp4AvcPlayback”})”:”https://mlb-cuts-diamond.mlb.com/FORGE/2024/2024-05/11/e97c1591-4839f29e-b9aa380f-csvm-diamondx64-asset_1280x720_59_4000K.mp4″,”type”:”video”,”description”:”Paul Skenes escapes a bases-loaded jam in the top of the 2nd inning”,”displayAsVideoGif”:false,”duration”:”00:00:18″,”slug”:”paul-skenes-escapes-a-bases-loaded-jam”,”tags”:[{“__typename”:”InternalTag”,”slug”:”season-2024″,”title”:”Season 2024″,”type”:”season”},{“__typename”:”GameTag”},{“__typename”:”PersonTag”,”slug”:”playerid-694973″,”title”:”Paul Skenes”,”person”:{“__ref”:”Person:694973″},”type”:”player”},{“__typename”:”TeamTag”,”slug”:”teamid-134″,”title”:”Pittsburgh Pirates”,”team”:{“__ref”:”Team:134″},”type”:”team”},{“__typename”:”TaxonomyTag”,”slug”:”pitching”,”title”:”pitching”,”type”:”taxonomy”},{“__typename”:”TaxonomyTag”,”slug”:”highlight”,”title”:”highlight”,”type”:”taxonomy”},{“__typename”:”TaxonomyTag”,”slug”:”in-game-highlight”,”title”:”in-game highlight”,”type”:”taxonomy”},{“__typename”:”TaxonomyTag”,”slug”:”game-action-tracking”,”title”:”game action tracking”,”type”:”taxonomy”},{“__typename”:”TaxonomyTag”,”slug”:”vod”,”title”:”vod”,”type”:”taxonomy”},{“__typename”:”TaxonomyTag”,”slug”:”mlb-top-prospects”,”title”:”MLB Top Prospects”,”type”:”taxonomy”},{“__typename”:”TaxonomyTag”,”slug”:”imagen-feed”,”title”:”Imagen feed”,”type”:”taxonomy”},{“__typename”:”TaxonomyTag”,”slug”:”wow”,”title”:”wow”,”type”:”taxonomy”},{“__typename”:”TaxonomyTag”,”slug”:”apple-news”,”title”:”Apple News”,”type”:”taxonomy”},{“__typename”:”TaxonomyTag”,”slug”:”international-feed”,”title”:”International Partner feed”,”type”:”taxonomy”},{“__typename”:”TaxonomyTag”,”slug”:”fan-duel”,”title”:”Fan Duel”,”type”:”taxonomy”},{“__typename”:”TaxonomyTag”,”slug”:”eclat-feed”,”title”:”Eclat feed”,”type”:”taxonomy”}],”thumbnail”:{“__typename”:”Thumbnail”,”templateUrl”:”https://img.mlbstatic.com/mlb-images/image/upload/{formatInstructions}/mlb/cnh5h1kcxykf62psttcc”},”title”:”Paul Skenes escapes a bases-loaded jam”,”relativeSiteUrl”:”/video/paul-skenes-escapes-a-bases-loaded-jam”},{“__typename”:”Markdown”,”content”:”**Another zero in the third**nnSkenes picked up his fourth strikeout of the day in the top of the third inning, getting Suzuki looking with a 99.2 mph four-seam fastball on the outside corner. After Bellinger’s flyout to center field, Skenes allowed a two-out single to Morel, but the Cubs third baseman was caught trying to steal second by Yasmani Grandal to end the inning.”,”type”:”text”},{“__typename”:”OEmbed”,”html”:”
Paul Skenes, 99mph Paint. 🖌️🎨 pic.twitter.com/XGknTNFuDX
— Rob Friedman (@PitchingNinja) May 11, 2024
nnn”,”providerName”:”Twitter”,”providerUrl”:”https://twitter.com”,”thumbnail_url”:null,”type”:”oembed”,”width”:550,”contentType”:”rich”},{“__typename”:”Markdown”,”content”:”**Familiar faces in attendance**nnSkenes’ friends and family, including LSU gymnast and girlfriend Olivia Dunne, were in the stands to take in the show.nn”I know how hard he’s worked for this moment … I just know what a hard worker he is, so this is probably one of my favorite moments I’ve ever seen,” Dunne said. “Seriously, there is nothing that can top this. I’m just so proud.””,”type”:”text”},{“__typename”:”Video”,”contentDate”:”2024-05-11T22:06:05.83Z”,”preferredPlaybackScenarioURL({“preferredPlaybacks”:”mp4AvcPlayback”})”:”https://mlb-cuts-diamond.mlb.com/FORGE/2024/2024-05/11/1fd3fc36-4acef45e-3f4f459c-csvm-diamondx64-asset_1280x720_59_4000K.mp4″,”type”:”video”,”description”:”LSU gymnast Livvy Dunne discusses the MLB debut of her boyfriend, Paul Skenes, as well as the welcome from Pittsburgh and the nerves watching him”,”displayAsVideoGif”:false,”duration”:”00:02:47″,”slug”:”livvy-dunne-on-paul-skenes-debut-joining-pittsburgh”,”tags”:[{“__typename”:”GameTag”},{“__typename”:”TeamTag”,”slug”:”teamid-134″,”title”:”Pittsburgh Pirates”,”team”:{“__ref”:”Team:134″},”type”:”team”},{“__typename”:”PersonTag”,”slug”:”playerid-694973″,”title”:”Paul Skenes”,”person”:{“__ref”:”Person:694973″},”type”:”player”},{“__typename”:”TaxonomyTag”,”slug”:”vod”,”title”:”vod”,”type”:”taxonomy”},{“__typename”:”TaxonomyTag”,”slug”:”interview”,”title”:”interview”,”type”:”taxonomy”},{“__typename”:”TaxonomyTag”,”slug”:”in-game-highlight”,”title”:”in-game highlight”,”type”:”taxonomy”},{“__typename”:”TaxonomyTag”,”slug”:”highlight”,”title”:”highlight”,”type”:”taxonomy”},{“__typename”:”TaxonomyTag”,”slug”:”game-action-tracking”,”title”:”game action tracking”,”type”:”taxonomy”},{“__typename”:”TaxonomyTag”,”slug”:”imagen-feed”,”title”:”Imagen feed”,”type”:”taxonomy”},{“__typename”:”TaxonomyTag”,”slug”:”apple-news”,”title”:”Apple News”,”type”:”taxonomy”},{“__typename”:”TaxonomyTag”,”slug”:”mlb-top-prospects”,”title”:”MLB Top Prospects”,”type”:”taxonomy”},{“__typename”:”TaxonomyTag”,”slug”:”cut-4″,”title”:”Cut4″,”type”:”taxonomy”},{“__typename”:”TaxonomyTag”,”slug”:”celebrities”,”title”:”celebrities”,”type”:”taxonomy”},{“__typename”:”TaxonomyTag”,”slug”:”international-feed”,”title”:”International Partner feed”,”type”:”taxonomy”},{“__typename”:”TaxonomyTag”,”slug”:”fan-duel”,”title”:”Fan Duel”,”type”:”taxonomy”},{“__typename”:”TaxonomyTag”,”slug”:”eclat-feed”,”title”:”Eclat feed”,”type”:”taxonomy”}],”thumbnail”:{“__typename”:”Thumbnail”,”templateUrl”:”https://img.mlbstatic.com/mlb-images/image/upload/{formatInstructions}/mlb/mmh0niho3s3peljevyl6″},”title”:”Livvy Dunne on Paul Skenes’ debut, joining Pittsburgh”,”relativeSiteUrl”:”/video/livvy-dunne-on-paul-skenes-debut-joining-pittsburgh”},{“__typename”:”Markdown”,”content”:”**Big bats got his back**nnCubs starter Justin Steele matched Skenes zero for zero over the first two innings, but Pirates first baseman Connor Joe broke the scoreless tie with a three-run blast to left field in the bottom of the third. Bucs slugger Oneil Cruz then followed with a homer of his own to right-center field to make it 4-0 Pirates.”,”type”:”text”},{“__typename”:”Video”,”contentDate”:”2024-05-11T20:56:41.045Z”,”preferredPlaybackScenarioURL({“preferredPlaybacks”:”mp4AvcPlayback”})”:”https://mlb-cuts-diamond.mlb.com/FORGE/2024/2024-05/11/0c2252a2-ea0cf0b8-d32c1ccd-csvm-diamondx64-asset_1280x720_59_4000K.mp4″,”type”:”video”,”description”:”Connor Joe connects with a three-run home run to left field, giving the Pirates a 3-0 lead in the bottom of the 3rd inning”,”displayAsVideoGif”:false,”duration”:”00:00:29″,”slug”:”justin-steele-in-play-run-s-to-connor-joe”,”tags”:[{“__typename”:”InternalTag”,”slug”:”season-2024″,”title”:”Season 2024″,”type”:”season”},{“__typename”:”GameTag”},{“__typename”:”PersonTag”,”slug”:”playerid-656582″,”title”:”Connor Joe”,”person”:{“__ref”:”Person:656582″},”type”:”player”},{“__typename”:”TeamTag”,”slug”:”teamid-134″,”title”:”Pittsburgh Pirates”,”team”:{“__ref”:”Team:134″},”type”:”team”},{“__typename”:”TaxonomyTag”,”slug”:”hitting”,”title”:”hitting”,”type”:”taxonomy”},{“__typename”:”TaxonomyTag”,”slug”:”highlight”,”title”:”highlight”,”type”:”taxonomy”},{“__typename”:”TaxonomyTag”,”slug”:”in-game-highlight”,”title”:”in-game highlight”,”type”:”taxonomy”},{“__typename”:”TaxonomyTag”,”slug”:”game-action-tracking”,”title”:”game action tracking”,”type”:”taxonomy”},{“__typename”:”TaxonomyTag”,”slug”:”vod”,”title”:”vod”,”type”:”taxonomy”},{“__typename”:”TaxonomyTag”,”slug”:”home-run”,”title”:”home run”,”type”:”taxonomy”},{“__typename”:”TaxonomyTag”,”slug”:”style”,”title”:”style”,”type”:”taxonomy”},{“__typename”:”TaxonomyTag”,”slug”:”imagen-feed”,”title”:”Imagen feed”,”type”:”taxonomy”},{“__typename”:”TaxonomyTag”,”slug”:”fan-duel”,”title”:”Fan Duel”,”type”:”taxonomy”},{“__typename”:”TaxonomyTag”,”slug”:”international-feed”,”title”:”International Partner feed”,”type”:”taxonomy”},{“__typename”:”TaxonomyTag”,”slug”:”eclat-feed”,”title”:”Eclat feed”,”type”:”taxonomy”},{“__typename”:”TaxonomyTag”,”slug”:”apple-news”,”title”:”Apple News”,”type”:”taxonomy”}],”thumbnail”:{“__typename”:”Thumbnail”,”templateUrl”:”https://img.mlbstatic.com/mlb-images/image/upload/{formatInstructions}/mlb/n4unbfnbwbohig4ae9cg”},”title”:”Connor Joe’s three-run home run (4)”,”relativeSiteUrl”:”/video/justin-steele-in-play-run-s-to-connor-joe”},{“__typename”:”Markdown”,”content”:”**Unfazed by first blemish**nnSkenes allowed his first run as a big leaguer on a one-out homer by Hoerner in the top of the fourth but collected three more strikeouts to run his total to seven K’s through four innings of work.”,”type”:”text”},{“__typename”:”OEmbed”,”html”:”
Paul Skenes, Filthy 95mph Splinker. 😷
7th K pic.twitter.com/3qiTrR6AMi
— Rob Friedman (@PitchingNinja) May 11, 2024
nnn”,”providerName”:”Twitter”,”providerUrl”:”https://twitter.com”,”thumbnail_url”:null,”type”:”oembed”,”width”:550,”contentType”:”rich”},{“__typename”:”Markdown”,”content”:”**Skenes’ day ends in the fifth**nnThe Pirates kept Skenes in to start the fifth inning, but manager Derek Shelton opted to pull the righty after he gave up a double to Tauchman and an infield single to Suzuki. Both of them came around to score (and both runs were charged to Skenes) after reliever Kyle Nicolas took over. Skenes ended up allowing three runs on six hits (one homer) and two walks with seven strikeouts over four-plus innings, throwing 84 pitches.”,”type”:”text”},{“__typename”:”Video”,”contentDate”:”2024-05-12T01:44:39.735Z”,”preferredPlaybackScenarioURL({“preferredPlaybacks”:”mp4AvcPlayback”})”:”https://mlb-cuts-diamond.mlb.com/FORGE/2024/2024-05/11/bc76fb0e-7b2d1acf-299bd88c-csvm-diamondx64-asset_1280x720_59_4000K.mp4″,”type”:”video”,”description”:”Paul Skenes discusses his Major League debut, striking out seven, the support from the fans in Pittsburgh, the five Pirates homers, and more”,”displayAsVideoGif”:false,”duration”:”00:02:35″,”slug”:”paul-skenes-on-his-major-league-debut-fan-support”,”tags”:[{“__typename”:”GameTag”},{“__typename”:”TeamTag”,”slug”:”teamid-134″,”title”:”Pittsburgh Pirates”,”team”:{“__ref”:”Team:134″},”type”:”team”},{“__typename”:”PersonTag”,”slug”:”playerid-694973″,”title”:”Paul Skenes”,”person”:{“__ref”:”Person:694973″},”type”:”player”},{“__typename”:”TaxonomyTag”,”slug”:”vod”,”title”:”vod”,”type”:”taxonomy”},{“__typename”:”TaxonomyTag”,”slug”:”interview”,”title”:”interview”,”type”:”taxonomy”},{“__typename”:”TaxonomyTag”,”slug”:”in-game-highlight”,”title”:”in-game highlight”,”type”:”taxonomy”},{“__typename”:”TaxonomyTag”,”slug”:”highlight”,”title”:”highlight”,”type”:”taxonomy”},{“__typename”:”TaxonomyTag”,”slug”:”game-action-tracking”,”title”:”game action tracking”,”type”:”taxonomy”},{“__typename”:”TaxonomyTag”,”slug”:”mlb-debut”,”title”:”MLB debut”,”type”:”taxonomy”},{“__typename”:”TaxonomyTag”,”slug”:”career-first”,”title”:”career-first”,”type”:”taxonomy”},{“__typename”:”TaxonomyTag”,”slug”:”mlb-top-prospects”,”title”:”MLB Top Prospects”,”type”:”taxonomy”},{“__typename”:”TaxonomyTag”,”slug”:”imagen-feed”,”title”:”Imagen feed”,”type”:”taxonomy”},{“__typename”:”TaxonomyTag”,”slug”:”apple-news”,”title”:”Apple News”,”type”:”taxonomy”},{“__typename”:”TaxonomyTag”,”slug”:”fan-duel”,”title”:”Fan Duel”,”type”:”taxonomy”},{“__typename”:”TaxonomyTag”,”slug”:”eclat-feed”,”title”:”Eclat feed”,”type”:”taxonomy”},{“__typename”:”TaxonomyTag”,”slug”:”international-feed”,”title”:”International Partner feed”,”type”:”taxonomy”}],”thumbnail”:{“__typename”:”Thumbnail”,”templateUrl”:”https://img.mlbstatic.com/mlb-images/image/upload/{formatInstructions}/mlb/vny1djvk6vroal5mr6kf”},”title”:”Paul Skenes on his Major League debut, fan support”,”relativeSiteUrl”:”/video/paul-skenes-on-his-major-league-debut-fan-support”},{“__typename”:”Markdown”,”content”:”Josh Fleming, who replaced Nicolas, wound up walking in the tying run before the game entered a rain delay with two outs and the bases loaded in the top of the fifth. After a two-hour, 20-minute delay, Pirates reliever Colin Holderman entered the game and walked in two more runs before inducing a lineout of Nick Madrigal to end the inning.nnBut there was simply no way the Pirates were going to go down quietly following Skenes’ electric debut. In fact, they answered right away in the bottom of the frame as Grandal bashed a three-run homer, his first dinger of the season, to put his squad up for good.nn”It was a team win all around,” Skenes said. “Awesome to see the bats come out and \[hit\] five home runs — we should win that every time.””,”type”:”text”},{“__typename”:”Video”,”contentDate”:”2024-05-12T00:16:24.866Z”,”preferredPlaybackScenarioURL({“preferredPlaybacks”:”mp4AvcPlayback”})”:”https://mlb-cuts-diamond.mlb.com/FORGE/2024/2024-05/11/0e487be8-3723992c-1e251611-csvm-diamondx64-asset_1280x720_59_4000K.mp4″,”type”:”video”,”description”:”Yasmani Grandal hits a towering three-run home run to right field, giving the Pirates a 9-8 lead in the bottom of the 5th inning”,”displayAsVideoGif”:false,”duration”:”00:00:29″,”slug”:”yasmani-grandal-homers-1-on-a-fly-ball-to-right-field-oneil-cruz-scores-n”,”tags”:[{“__typename”:”InternalTag”,”slug”:”season-2024″,”title”:”Season 2024″,”type”:”season”},{“__typename”:”GameTag”},{“__typename”:”PersonTag”,”slug”:”playerid-518735″,”title”:”Yasmani Grandal”,”person”:{“__ref”:”Person:518735″},”type”:”player”},{“__typename”:”TeamTag”,”slug”:”teamid-134″,”title”:”Pittsburgh Pirates”,”team”:{“__ref”:”Team:134″},”type”:”team”},{“__typename”:”TaxonomyTag”,”slug”:”hitting”,”title”:”hitting”,”type”:”taxonomy”},{“__typename”:”TaxonomyTag”,”slug”:”highlight”,”title”:”highlight”,”type”:”taxonomy”},{“__typename”:”TaxonomyTag”,”slug”:”in-game-highlight”,”title”:”in-game highlight”,”type”:”taxonomy”},{“__typename”:”TaxonomyTag”,”slug”:”game-action-tracking”,”title”:”game action tracking”,”type”:”taxonomy”},{“__typename”:”TaxonomyTag”,”slug”:”vod”,”title”:”vod”,”type”:”taxonomy”},{“__typename”:”TaxonomyTag”,”slug”:”home-run”,”title”:”home run”,”type”:”taxonomy”},{“__typename”:”TaxonomyTag”,”slug”:”international-feed”,”title”:”International Partner feed”,”type”:”taxonomy”},{“__typename”:”TaxonomyTag”,”slug”:”fan-duel”,”title”:”Fan Duel”,”type”:”taxonomy”},{“__typename”:”TaxonomyTag”,”slug”:”imagen-feed”,”title”:”Imagen feed”,”type”:”taxonomy”},{“__typename”:”TaxonomyTag”,”slug”:”eclat-feed”,”title”:”Eclat feed”,”type”:”taxonomy”},{“__typename”:”TaxonomyTag”,”slug”:”apple-news”,”title”:”Apple News”,”type”:”taxonomy”}],”thumbnail”:{“__typename”:”Thumbnail”,”templateUrl”:”https://img.mlbstatic.com/mlb-images/image/upload/{formatInstructions}/mlb/fgtedarp5dyanyn8wyta”},”title”:”Yasmani Grandal’s three-run home run (1)”,”relativeSiteUrl”:”/video/yasmani-grandal-homers-1-on-a-fly-ball-to-right-field-oneil-cruz-scores-n”}],”relativeSiteUrl”:”/news/paul-skenes-debut-best-moments-and-highlights”,”contentType”:”news”,”subHeadline”:null,”summary”:”A little over 10 months removed from being selected first overall in the 2023 MLB Draft, flamethrowing right-hander Paul Skenes made his highly anticipated MLB debut, striking out seven across four-plus innings in the Pirates’ 10-9 win over the Cubs on Saturday at PNC Park.n- Why the Pirates believe”,”tagline({“formatString”:”none”})”:null,”tags”:[{“__typename”:”InternalTag”,”slug”:”storytype-article”,”title”:”Article”,”type”:”article”},{“__typename”:”PersonTag”,”slug”:”playerid-694973″,”title”:”Paul Skenes”,”person”:{“__ref”:”Person:694973″},”type”:”player”},{“__typename”:”TeamTag”,”slug”:”teamid-134″,”title”:”Pittsburgh Pirates”,”team”:{“__ref”:”Team:134″},”type”:”team”},{“__typename”:”GameTag”,”gamePk”:745505,”slug”:”gamepk-745505″,”title”:”2024/05/11 chc@pit”,”type”:”game”},{“__typename”:”ContributorTag”,”slug”:”thomas-harrigan”,”title”:”Thomas Harrigan”,”type”:”contributor”},{“__typename”:”TaxonomyTag”,”slug”:”mlb-debut”,”title”:”MLB debut”,”type”:”taxonomy”},{“__typename”:”TaxonomyTag”,”slug”:”apple-news”,”title”:”Apple News”,”type”:”taxonomy”},{“__typename”:”TaxonomyTag”,”slug”:”mlb-top-prospects”,”title”:”MLB Top Prospects”,”type”:”taxonomy”}],”type”:”story”,”thumbnail”:”https://img.mlbstatic.com/mlb-images/image/upload/{formatInstructions}/mlb/dwyutqicuer8h3gsbp5v”,”title”:”Paul Skenes debut best moments and highlights”}},”Team:134″:{“__typename”:”Team”,”id”:134},”Person:694973″:{“__typename”:”Person”,”id”:694973},”Person:656582″:{“__typename”:”Person”,”id”:656582},”Person:518735″:{“__typename”:”Person”,”id”:518735}}}
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A little over 10 months removed from being selected first overall in the 2023 MLB Draft, flamethrowing right-hander Paul Skenes made his highly anticipated MLB debut, striking out seven across four-plus innings in the Pirates’ 10-9 win over the Cubs on Saturday at PNC Park.
Here are all the highlights from his first career start:
He said all the right things
Skenes met the media the day before his debut, and his mindset was to fit in and do what it takes to help his team win.
“I’m excited,” Skenes said. “The biggest thing is, I just want to see how it plays. I don’t think it’s going to be too different. Usages might change, that kinda thing. But it’s gonna be fun to be with some veterans who have been around the game, and learn from them.”
The No. 30 in black and gold with “Skenes” on top is already an instant classic in the Steel City. Get a closer look below, and if you want your own jersey, cop one here.
The man of the hour arrives
Through the magic of social media, we were able to watch the moment Skenes arrived at his locker before Saturday’s game. (It has to be an incredible feeling.)
“Once in a lifetime experience for sure,” Skenes said. “Just an awesome experience from the first pitch. … I had a lot of people tell me to take it in, take it all in from [the moment] I walked outside … I’m really grateful for it.”
First batter, first punchout
Skenes started off his big league career in style, striking out each of the first two hitters he faced — Mike Tauchman on a 100.9 mph four-seam fastball and Seiya Suzuki on an 84.2 mph slider. After walking Cody Bellinger, he retired Christopher Morel on a flyout to deep center to finish off a scoreless first inning.
“Getting that early momentum was huge,” Skenes said. “… There were some jitters there early and some adrenaline, but really cool experience.”
Skenes touched 100 mph nine times in the first inning, topping out at 101.9 mph — the fastest pitch by a Pirates starting pitcher in the pitch-tracking era (since 2008).
An escape act in the second
Skenes faced a bases-loaded jam with one out in his second inning of work, hitting Nico Hoerner with a pitch, walking Michael Busch on four pitches and allowing a single to Miles Mastrobuoni. However, he struck out Yan Gomes looking on a 101.2 mph fastball inside and got Tauchman to ground out to second base to work out of trouble. Skenes’ strikeout of Gomes set the record for the fastest K by a Bucs starter in the pitch-tracking era (since 2008).
Another zero in the third
Skenes picked up his fourth strikeout of the day in the top of the third inning, getting Suzuki looking with a 99.2 mph four-seam fastball on the outside corner. After Bellinger’s flyout to center field, Skenes allowed a two-out single to Morel, but the Cubs third baseman was caught trying to steal second by Yasmani Grandal to end the inning.
Familiar faces in attendance
“I know how hard he’s worked for this moment … I just know what a hard worker he is, so this is probably one of my favorite moments I’ve ever seen,” Dunne said. “Seriously, there is nothing that can top this. I’m just so proud.”
Cubs starter Justin Steele matched Skenes zero for zero over the first two innings, but Pirates first baseman Connor Joe broke the scoreless tie with a three-run blast to left field in the bottom of the third. Bucs slugger Oneil Cruz then followed with a homer of his own to right-center field to make it 4-0 Pirates.
Skenes allowed his first run as a big leaguer on a one-out homer by Hoerner in the top of the fourth but collected three more strikeouts to run his total to seven K’s through four innings of work.
Skenes’ day ends in the fifth
The Pirates kept Skenes in to start the fifth inning, but manager Derek Shelton opted to pull the righty after he gave up a double to Tauchman and an infield single to Suzuki. Both of them came around to score (and both runs were charged to Skenes) after reliever Kyle Nicolas took over. Skenes ended up allowing three runs on six hits (one homer) and two walks with seven strikeouts over four-plus innings, throwing 84 pitches.
Josh Fleming, who replaced Nicolas, wound up walking in the tying run before the game entered a rain delay with two outs and the bases loaded in the top of the fifth. After a two-hour, 20-minute delay, Pirates reliever Colin Holderman entered the game and walked in two more runs before inducing a lineout of Nick Madrigal to end the inning.
But there was simply no way the Pirates were going to go down quietly following Skenes’ electric debut. In fact, they answered right away in the bottom of the frame as Grandal bashed a three-run homer, his first dinger of the season, to put his squad up for good.
“It was a team win all around,” Skenes said. “Awesome to see the bats come out and [hit] five home runs — we should win that every time.”
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