PITTSBURGH – For the final time this season, “Take Me Home, Country Roads” was cued and subsequently blasted over PNC Park’s sound system. One last turn at PNC Park for the favorite for NL Cy Young.
Tuesday night was not one of Paul Skenes’ stronger outings this year. He was pulled in the fourth inning, having allowed three runs against the Cubs. But the Pirates’ ace still exited to a standing ovation for a stellar sophomore campaign.
Skenes’ evening got off to a rocky start, as he surrendered a leadoff homer to Michael Busch, and he needed to battle most of the evening. He allowed seven hits and three walks over 3 2/3 innings while surrendering three runs on 92 pitches, but he was able to mostly minimize the damage.
Skenes couldn’t finish the fourth inning, allowing an infield single to Nico Hoerner after manager Don Kelly came out for a chat just before. Evan Sisk stranded the two runners he inherited to keep the Pirates in the game.
Skenes struck out six, giving him 209 on the season, the most in the National League. He is also one shy of the franchise record for most punchouts in a season by a right-hander, held by Mitch Keller with 210 in 2023.
