Impressive Skenes debut helps Pirates beat Cubs 10-9 in a thriller

Paul Skenes made an impressive major league debut, striking out seven batters over four-plus innings as the Pittsburgh Pirates secured a thrilling 10-9 victory over the visiting Chicago Cubs on Saturday.

Skenes showcased his velocity, delivering 17 pitches clocked at 100 mph or more. Despite giving up three runs on six hits and two walks, he displayed promise with his strong performance, throwing a total of 84 pitches.

The Pirates provided ample offensive support, jumping to a 6-1 lead early in the game. However, the Cubs mounted a comeback in the fifth inning, drawing six bases-loaded walks off three Pirates relievers amid a wild sequence that included a rain delay lasting over two hours.

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Contributing to Pittsburgh’s offensive onslaught were home runs from Connor Joe, Oneil Cruz, Michael A. Taylor, Yasmani Grandal, and Andrew McCutchen. The Pirates’ offensive display resulted in a season-high run total and ended their three-game losing streak.

Nico Hoerner’s homer provided a spark for the Cubs, who went 4-for-13 with runners in scoring position but ultimately fell short in their efforts to overcome the Pirates’ offensive barrage.