Pittsburgh Pirates Split Doubleheader with Detroit Tigers
DETROIT (AP) — In a doubleheader split on Wednesday, the Pittsburgh Pirates defeated the Detroit Tigers 10-2 in the second game, thanks to a stellar performance by pitcher Paul Skenes.
Skenes, celebrating his 22nd birthday, struck out nine batters and allowed only two runs and three hits in six innings. His impressive pitching performance earned him his second career victory, with a total of 30 strikeouts in 22 innings and a 2.45 ERA.
Manager Derek Shelton praised Skenes for his dominant pitching, particularly highlighting his effective use of the two-seam fastball, which often appeared as a splitter on the scoreboard.
Offensively, Andrew McCutchen contributed to the Pirates’ win with a three-run homer in the third inning, marking his 1,600th career hit. Nick Gonzales also had a strong performance, including a solo homer.
On the Tigers’ side, Matt Vierling continued his impressive streak with his fourth home run in three games, but it wasn’t enough to secure a win and extend their four-game winning streak.
The Pirates’ victory was a team effort, with solid performances both on the mound and at the plate. With the series split, both teams will look to carry the momentum into their upcoming games.
In the next games, the Pirates will face the Toronto Blue Jays, while the Tigers will take on the Boston Red Sox. Fans can expect exciting matchups as both teams aim to build on their recent performances.