Paul Skenes flirted with perfection on Saturday, taking a perfect game into the seventh inning before a grounder from Jake Bauers ended his bid for baseball immortality. The Pittsburgh Pirates ace delivered another dominant performance, continuing a remarkable stretch since his Opening Day disaster earlier this season. Skenes retired the first 18 batters he faced, showcasing the electric stuff that has made him one of baseball’s most talked-about young pitchers.
The near-perfect outing came against the Milwaukee Brewers at PNC Park, where Skenes demonstrated why he’s quickly becoming a cornerstone of the Pirates’ rebuilding effort. After walking leadoff hitter William Contreras to open the game, Skenes settled in and retired 18 consecutive batters, including a strikeout of Jackson Chourio to end the sixth inning. His bid for history ended when Bauers lifted a soft grounder to shortstop Oneil Cruz, who made the play but couldn’t turn it into a double play, allowing Bauers to reach safely.
According to verified reports from MLB.com and Yahoo Sports, Skenes finished the game with 8 strikeouts, 1 walk, and 1 hit allowed over 6⅔ innings while throwing 98 pitches. The Pirates ultimately won the game 4-1, with Skenes earning the victory and improving his record to 3-2 on the season. His ERA now sits at 2.45, a significant improvement from his rough start to the year.
This performance continues a dominant stretch for the 22-year-old right-hander, who has been exceptional since recovering from his Opening Day struggles. On April 1 against the Atlanta Braves, Skenes allowed 5 earned runs in just 3⅓ innings, taking the loss in what was his first start of the 2026 season. Since then, he’s made four starts, posting a 1.80 ERA with 27 strikeouts and only 4 walks over 20 innings pitched.
Skenes’ ability to miss bats has been particularly impressive, as he’s striking out 12.15 batters per 9 innings during this stretch while maintaining excellent control. His fastball consistently sits in the mid-to-upper 90s, complemented by a devastating slider that has generated numerous swings and misses. The combination has drawn comparisons to some of baseball’s elite young pitchers, though Skenes remains focused on consistent improvement rather than historical accolades.
The Pirates organization has been pleased with Skenes’ development, noting his maturity and work ethic beyond his years. Manager Derek Shelton praised his composure after the near-perfect game, stating Skenes “executed his pitches with precision and competed every inning.” Teammates have also highlighted his preparation routine and willingness to learn from each outing, regardless of the result.
Looking ahead, Skenes is scheduled to create his next start on May 1 against the Chicago Cubs at Wrigley Field. That matchup will present a different challenge, as the Cubs’ lineup features several left-handed power hitters who have historically given Skenes trouble. Yet, based on his recent performance, Pirates fans have reason to be optimistic about another strong outing from their young ace.
As Skenes continues to develop, his performances are helping restore excitement to Pirates baseball in Pittsburgh. While the team remains in a rebuilding phase, having a pitcher of Skenes’ caliber provides hope for the future. His ability to flirt with perfection against quality opposition suggests that if he maintains this trajectory, special moments may become more frequent in the coming seasons.
For ongoing updates on Paul Skenes and the Pittsburgh Pirates, fans can follow the team’s official website and social media channels. The next opportunity to see Skenes accept the mound will be against the Cubs on May 1, where he’ll gaze to build on his impressive recent stretch and continue his journey toward establishing himself as one of baseball’s premier pitchers.