Pirates' Paul Skenes Pitches Five Innings as Team Wins 2-1 Over Cubs in 10 Innings

Pirates ace Paul Skenes, known for his power and control, has consistently performed well against the Chicago Cubs, maintaining a stellar record with no runs allowed over 16 innings at Wrigley Field in his three career starts there. In a recent game, Skenes pitched five innings, allowing four hits, two walks, and striking out five, though his outing was limited by a demanding third inning where he threw 35 pitches. Despite Skenes' shortened start, the Pirates won 2-1 in 10 innings, with the decisive run scored on a sacrifice fly in the 10th. The Cubs have struggled offensively against Skenes and his bullpen, going 0-for-10 with runners in scoring position in the game, highlighting their difficulty scoring against him. The Pirates' pitching staff, ranked 8th in batting average against, and Skenes’ impressive 1.78 ERA contribute significantly to their competitiveness. Meanwhile, Cubs starter Cade Horton provided a solid performance with 5.2 scoreless innings, but the Cubs have generally faced challenges scoring against the Pirates' pitching this season.