Pirates SP Paul Skenes gets tagged for career-worst 7 earned runs vs. Phillies

The Philadelphia Phillies matched up with the Pittsburgh Pirates on Wednesday, with the teams having split the first two games of the four-game series heading into Game 3.

Philadelphia started Zach Wheeler, while Pittsburgh countered with its ace, Paul Skenes. The Pirates’ starter has been having a roller-coaster year, entering with a 6-7 record and a 3.10 ERA. Still, he came into the game with 114 strikeouts, ninth-most in the league.

Skenes' season of woes continued Wednesday, as he had the worst outing of his short career, at least when it comes to earned runs allowed. The ace allowed eight runs (seven earned) in just four innings of work, increasing his ERA to 3.62.

Prior to Wednesday's start to forget, the starter had allowed a maximum of five earned runs in a start, which had happened three times. The seven earned against Philadelphia set a new career high as Skenes struggles to recapture the form that earned him the 2025 NL Cy Young Award.

The first run Skenes allowed came on a fielder's choice that plated one. A throwing error by Nick Gonzales scored another, but that run was unearned.

Trea Turner then launched a 372-foot, three-run home run to put the Phillies up 5-0 in the second inning.

Skenes got out of the second inning but then allowed a solo home run to Brandon Marsh in the third inning.

The Pittsburgh starter got two outs in the fourth inning but with two runners on. Bryce Harper doubled to center field, scoring both runners and bringing Skenes' earned run total for the game to seven.

Skenes is projected to make one more start before the All-Star break. Pittsburgh has time to vary its rotation to give him extra rest, but the Pirates’ ace is currently expected to start next on Tuesday against the Atlanta Braves.