Paul Skenes dominated the Los Angeles Dodgers with 7 strikeouts on June 9. The Pirates ace allowed 2 runs in 6 innings.
What happened?
The Dodgers were relatively quiet throughout the game with Skenes on the mound.
But they began to find motion at the plate once Skenes was relieved.
The Pirates took an early 2-0 lead in the first inning on back-to-back solo home runs from Bryan Reynolds and Ryan O'Hearn.
Why it matters for Paul Skenes
Skenes has been one of the best pitchers in baseball so far this season, tied for fifth with 89 strikeouts.
His WHIP is 0.91, third best in MLB.
The 24-year-old Southern California native grew up in Orange County as a Los Angeles Angels fan.
What comes next?
The Dodgers exploited the Pittsburgh bullpen with 10 runs in the seventh inning.
Among the highlights of the inning: Freddie Freeman hit a milestone, cracking his 2,500th hit.
The Dodgers were without starting All-Star catcher Will Smith against Pittsburgh.
Paul Skenes stats vs. Los Angeles Dodgers:
Innings pitched: 6
Hits allowed: 6
Runs allowed: 2
Earned Runs allowed: 2
Walks: 2
Strikeouts: 7
Pitch Count: 103
Strikes Thrown: 62
The Dodgers later tied the game after a Muncy single found a gap and bounced right past Pirates' second baseman Brandon Lowe straight into right field.
Muncy was awarded an RBI as Freddie Freeman scored in the sixth inning.
That inning marked the end of Skenes' night.
He was relieved for Wilber Dotel.
The score was tied 2-2 as Skenes left the game.