Pirates ace Paul Skenes chased in 1st inning by Mets on opening day
AP News • • sports
Key Points:
- Paul Skenes, the reigning NL Cy Young Award winner, was pulled after just 37 pitches in the first inning of the Pirates' 11-7 loss to the Mets on opening day, marking the shortest outing of his 56 major league starts.
- Skenes allowed five runs, matching his career high, and struggled with command, issuing two walks and hitting a batter, leading manager Don Kelly to remove him early to protect his health.
- The Pirates' defense also faltered, with center fielder Oneil Cruz misplaying two crucial balls, contributing to the Mets' early scoring surge.
- Skenes, coming off two starts in the World Baseball Classic, said he felt good but understood the precautionary move, while Kelly dismissed the WBC as a factor in the poor outing.
- Skenes became the eighth starting pitcher since 1906 to allow five or more runs in less than an inning on opening day, expressing relief at getting the rough start "out of the way."
