“He showed today,” Pirates closer David Bednar told reporters, “he has so many different ways to get guys out.”
Getting their second look at the rookie, the Cubs looked more helpless.
Skenes struck out the first seven Cubs he faced, all but one on either the fastball or splitter, falling two shy of Pablo Lopez’s major league record for most punchouts to start a game. He did not allow a baserunner until Michael Busch drew a one-out walk on a full count in the fifth; Skenes then retired the last five men he faced.
By cobramagazine.com
May19,2024
