Pirates’ Paul Skenes Finds ‘Silver Lining’ After Struggling Vs. Red-Hot Brewers

In “Rocky IV,” Rocky Balboa challenged Ivan Drago to a fight after the Soviet boxing champion killed Apollo Creed in an exhibition match. During the Babloa-Drago bout, the imposing Soviet pummeled Sylvester Stallone’s character in the first round, nearly ending the fight with a TKO. But in the second round, Balboa struck back, landing a shot so hard it cut Drago. “He’s cut! He’s cut! The Russian’s cut,” the announcer screamed. That’s what happened Tuesday night in Milwaukee to Pittsburgh Pirates ace Paul Skenes.

The red-hot Brewers won their 11th straight game by taking it to Skenes, the leading contender for the National League Cy Young Award. The right-hander gave up four runs on six hits and two walks in four innings of work in the 14-0 loss. He fell to 7-9 with a 2.13 ERA, which still leads the majors.

The four innings tied Skenes’ shortest outing of the season. It was Skenes’ first loss since July 11. He allowed a total of four runs in his previous four starts.

In addition, ESPN reported that Brewers right fielder Sal Frelick‘s leadoff home run marked the first time in 24 starts this season that Skenes gave up a first-inning run, ending the second-longest streak to begin a season in MLB history.

“They’re obviously hot right now,” Skenes said of the Brewers after the game, according to MLB.com’s Rich Rovito. “I got in positions that weren’t very advantageous to me to where I had to be perfect, and I didn’t have my best stuff. I couldn’t really count on any singular pitch to be executed and get guys out.

“I had some 3-2 pitches that caught too much of the plate and didn’t execute two-strike pitches as well as I should have. They did a good job capitalizing on it,” Skenes added.

“They do have momentum and they’re going to put up good at-bats,” Pirates manager Don Kelly said of the Brewers, according to Rovito. “For Paul today, the fastball was there, but it didn’t seem like he had full command of the offspeed and they got a hold of some fastballs.”

But worry not, Pirates faithful.

“There’s a silver lining in that games like this are inevitable,” Skenes said, per Rovito. “We got it out of the way. On to the next one.”

Skenes is scheduled to return to the mound Monday when the Pirates welcome the Toronto Blue Jays to PNC Park for a three-game series with the American League East leaders.

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