Paul Skenes dazzles, Pirates tie club record by pounding seven homers in 14-2 demolition of the Mets

PITTSBURGH (AP) — Paul Skenes threw seven sturdy innings and the Pittsburgh Pirates tied a franchise report by smashing seven house runs in a 14-2 demolition of the New York Mets on Friday night time.

Bryan Reynolds and Rowdy Tellez grew to become the primary teammates in main league historical past to every hit a number of homers together with a grand slam in the identical recreation. Reynolds additionally tied a profession excessive with six RBIs to proceed a surge that began with a 25-game hitting streak in June.

“What’s it, June thirty eighth?” Reynolds joked after a four-hit night time that boosted his batting common to .280.

Skenes (5-0), a 22-year-old rookie, allowed two runs on 4 hits with a stroll and eight strikeouts whereas his ERA ticked up barely to 2.12.

The mustachioed right-hander has struck out seven or extra batters in 9 of his first 10 begins, probably the most ever by a pitcher over the primary 10 video games of his profession. Skenes has thrown 74 pitches of at the very least 100 mph this season, greater than double anybody else within the majors.

But Skenes didn’t simply beat the Mets together with his warmth. The final of his 107 pitches was an 87 mph slider that Harrison Bader whiffed at, bringing simply the second sellout crowd of the season at PNC Park to its ft because the 6-foot-6 high total decide within the 2023 draft made his approach to the dugout.

“That’s why it’s good to have 5 pitches,” Skenes mentioned. “As a result of if one’s not there, then we are able to pitch with the remainder of them. The fastball was completely not there early within the recreation. So made do with the opposite stuff.”

Pittsburgh’s struggling offense — because it appears to do incessantly when Skenes is beginning — offered loads of cushion.

Reynolds has it going from each side of the plate. He hit a two-run homer from the left aspect off Luis Severino (5-3) within the fifth inning to place Pittsburgh in entrance. His grand slam — from the correct aspect — got here in opposition to reliever Jake Diekman within the seventh.

Tellez hit his grand slam throughout a six-run eighth that ended with New York catcher/designated hitter Luis Torrens getting the ultimate out. He additionally had a solo shot within the fourth to chop into New York’s early 2-0 lead. The Mets tied a membership report for house runs allowed in a recreation.

“I don’t wish to losel I hate shedding. It doesn’t really feel good,” New York shortstop Francisco Lindor mentioned. “Nevertheless I perceive it’s just one recreation. Simply obtained to discover a approach to bounce again tomorrow and play higher.”

Michael A. Taylor had 4 hits, together with a homer. Jack Suwinski and Yasmani Grandal additionally went deep for the Pirates, who’ve struggled to generate offense a lot of the season, the principle purpose Pittsburgh is under .500 (42-45) regardless of a beginning rotation that has the bottom ERA within the Nationwide League since June 1.

Jeff McNeil hit his fifth house run for New York. Pete Alonso added two hits for the Mets, who’ve dropped three straight and 5 of seven whereas enjoying with out nearer Edwin Diaz. He’ll return on Saturday from a 10-game suspension for having a banned substance on his pitching hand late final month.

Skenes wasn’t significantly sharp early however retired 11 of his ultimate 12 batters to bolster his possibilities of making the NL All-Star crew when pitchers and reserves are named this weekend.

“I’d like to be there,” Skenes mentioned. “Nevertheless it’s clearly not my resolution to make.”

TRAINER’S ROOM

Mets: C Francisco Alvarez was hit on the left elbow by a 99 mph fastball from Skenes within the fourth inning. Alvarez was tended to by trainers for a number of minutes however remained within the recreation.

Pirates: RHP Jared Jones is shut down for at the very least two weeks because of a proper lat pressure. … C Henry Davis (concussion) had no points throughout his first minor league rehab begin with Triple-A Indianapolis on Thursday.

UP NEXT

The four-game sequence continues on Saturday. Left-hander David Peterson (3-0, 3.51 ERA) will get the beginning for New York. Bailey Falter (4-6, 3.87), who has only one victory within the final six weeks, will get the nod for the Pirates.

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AP MLB: https://apnews.com/hub/mlb