Paul Skenes' top moments from rookie season with Pirates

Skenes’ debut lasted only four innings. He allowed three runs and struck out seven batters. Despite the less-than-stellar results from the rookie right-hander, the Pirates won a memorable 10-9 game over the Cubs.

May 17: The first win in hitless fashion

It didn’t take long for Skenes to see the Cubs again. In his very next start, Skenes was on the mound at Wrigley Field and was as dominant as can be.

The prized rookie carried a no-hitter deep into the game but was pulled after throwing his 100th pitch for his 11th strikeout to end the sixth inning. Though he didn’t get a chance to finish off a potential no-hitter, Skenes got his first win in the big leagues. The Pirates won the game 9-3.

July 11: Flirting with another no-no

Not even two months after throwing six no-hit innings against the Cubs and exactly two months after his debut, Skenes again carried a no-hitter deep into one of his starts.

Against the Brewers in Milwaukee, Skenes threw seven no-hit innings and punched out 11 but was again pulled from the game with a high pitch count. Although he didn’t head back out for the eighth, Skenes improved to 6-0 on the season in a Pirates’ 1-0 nail-biter.

July 16: Quickly on the biggest stage

Skenes became the fifth rookie in MLB history to start the All-Star Game, joining Hideo Nomo (1995), Fernando Valenzuela (1981), Mark Fidrych (1976) and Dave Stenhouse (1962).

The Pirates’ ace got leadoff hitter Steven Kwan to pop out before inducing a ground out against Gunnar Henderson. After walking Juan Soto, Skenes got American League MVP favorite Aaron Judge to bounce out to end the inning. The AL went on to beat the NL 5-3.

July 23: Career-high in innings but first loss

In his first outing of the second-half, Skenes worked into the ninth inning for the first time in his career. He allowed a pair of runs to score — one in the fifth and one in the ninth — and was pulled with one out in the game’s final frame.

Despite another excellent outing, Skens took the loss for the first time in his career, falling to 6-1 with a 1.93 ERA in a 2-1 loss for the Pirates.

September 9: Skenes sets franchise rookie record

In the top of the first inning against the Miami Marlins at PNC Park, Skenes struck out designated hitter Connor Norby for his 143rd strikeout of the season. That punch out set the franchise record for strikeouts in a season by a Pirates’ rookie pitcher.

Skenes threw six terrific innings and the Pirates downed Miami 3-2.

September 28: One more in the Bronx

Skenes concluded his historic rookie season with a brief two-inning start against the Yankees in New York. He struck out three more batters, including back-to-back strikeouts against Juan Soto and Aaron Judge in the first inning.

The Pirates went on to win the game 9-4 and improved to 15-8 in games Skenes’ started.