Overview
- Philadelphia handed Pittsburgh a 10-6 loss on Wednesday after Paul Skenes allowed seven earned runs and six hits in four innings, raising his 2026 ERA to 3.62 and extending the Pirates’ winless streak in his starts to nine.
- Phillies interim manager Don Mattingly credited his club’s experienced, fearless approach for repeatedly pressuring Skenes, saying the team kept attacking despite his pedigree.
- Pirates manager Don Kelly and GM Ben Cherington say they see no clear injury, but they have been monitoring a measurable dip in Skenes’ average fastball velocity and are tweaking his mechanics and workload with the training staff.
- A misplayed rundown in the second inning — on a throw from Nick Gonzales that struck a baserunner instead of completing the out at home — produced two runs and swung momentum in Philadelphia’s favor.
- Despite recent trouble, Skenes still posts an elite strikeout rate and serviceable season numbers overall, but the club’s continued mechanical adjustments and the tempo of his downturn could affect Pittsburgh’s rotation planning and short-term playoff hopes.