{"id":129591,"date":"2025-05-07T05:10:26","date_gmt":"2025-05-07T05:10:26","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/teknomers.com\/en\/pirates-skenes-remain-without-a-win-against-cardinals-following-2-1-defeat\/"},"modified":"2025-05-07T05:10:26","modified_gmt":"2025-05-07T05:10:26","slug":"pirates-skenes-remain-without-a-win-against-cardinals-following-2-1-defeat","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/teknomers.com\/en\/pirates-skenes-remain-without-a-win-against-cardinals-following-2-1-defeat\/","title":{"rendered":"Pirates’ Skenes Remain Without a Win Against Cardinals Following 2-1 Defeat"},"content":{"rendered":"

What has Paul Skenes accomplished in his career against the St. Louis Cardinals?<\/strong> How did Alec Burleson’s performance impact Skenes in the game?<\/strong> What are the challenges the Pirates are facing offensively, according to their manager?<\/strong> How does Skenes’ earned run average compare to his win-loss record against the Cardinals?<\/strong><\/p>\n

PITTSBURGH (AP) \u2014 Pittsburgh Pirates pitcher Paul Skenes still hasn\u2019t found what he\u2019s looking for against the St. Louis Cardinals \u2014 a win. Skenes fell to 0-4 in five career starts against the Cardinals following a 2-1 loss on Tuesday night. It is the most starts by a Pirates pitcher to begin a career against St. Louis without a win since JT Brubaker went 0-6 in eight starts in 2021 and 2022.<\/p>\n

Skenes pitched well enough in his latest start, allowing two runs on three hits in six innings. But one mistake to Alec Burleson, who hit a two-out, two-run double in the sixth inning, did him in. \u201cJust not executing,\u201d Skenes said.<\/p>\n

Burleson (6 for 15) has more career hits off Skenes than any other major leaguer. Adding to Skenes\u2019 frustration is the entire rally in the sixth started with two outs as Nolan Arenado singled and Willson Contreras walked before Burleson came to the plate. <\/p>\n

\u201cThere is no secret,\u201d Burleson said of facing Skenes. \u201cIt takes a little bit of luck I feel like. It\u2019s just with a guy like him you have to have a plan and stick to it for three, four at bats. It may not necessarily give you success that night but it gives you the best chance to have success. So that\u2019s what I did and it worked out and I had a good time.\u201d<\/p>\n

Skenes, who allowed a season-high five runs in a loss to the Cardinals in Pittsburgh on April 8, has a 2.75 ERA in his five career starts against St. Louis. <\/p>\n

\u201cI feel like we took tough at bats,\u201d Cardinals manager Oliver Marmol said. \u201cDidn\u2019t have a ton to show for it, but pitch count, we were able to drive that up, some deep counts. The guys continued to battle. You have to stay short through the middle of the field and battle from pitch one against someone like Skenes. I felt like our guys did that.\u201d<\/p>\n

Skenes pitched around four walks, matching a career high he set in his last outing against the Cubs. \u201cThere were times where it looked like he lost his command, and then he came back and really executed pitches,\u201d Pirates manager Derek Shelton said. \u201cHe gave up, what, three hits \u2026 and, you know, did a pretty good job. He made a bad pitch on a fastball that leaked out over to Burleson that ended up being the difference in the game.\u201d<\/p>\n

While Skenes would like the pitch to Burleson back, he was also the victim of lack of run support once again. In his five starts against the Cardinals spanning 32 2\/3 innings, Skenes has received just three total runs of support while he has been in the game. <\/p>\n

The Pirates have lost six straight and nine of their last 10 games. \u201cWe\u2019re not being very consistent right now offensively,\u201d Shelton said. \u201cWe\u2019re not getting things going and, you know, we\u2019ve tried some different lineups. We\u2019ve tried lineup changes. We\u2019ve tried consistency of lineups. So, I think it\u2019s something we just got to keep exploring.\u201d<\/p>\n

Pitching is not the problem, Pirates third baseman Ke\u2019Bryan Hayes said. \u201cAnd I mean, we just got to pick them up and score runs. So however, that may be, whether it be drawing walks, getting that big hit, we just got to find a way.\u201d<\/p>\n

Pirates’ Near Miss Against the Cardinals: Skenes Still Seeking First Win<\/h3>\n

In what seemed like a thrilling contest under the lights, the Pittsburgh Pirates suffered another setback against the St. Louis Cardinals, falling 2-1 on a crisp autumn evening. The game highlighted the continued struggles of rookie pitcher Paul Skenes, who remains winless in his young MLB career, reinforcing the challenges the Pirates face as they strive to climb out of the National League Central basement.<\/p>\n

As the season winds down, the stakes become higher for both teams. While the Cardinals have been playing to maintain relevancy in the playoff race, the Pirates are focused on development, particularly for Skenes, one of their most promising prospects. The matchup offered a glimpse into the potential future of both organizations, but ultimately, it was the Cardinals that capitalized on their opportunities.<\/p>\n

Skenes’ Journey So Far<\/h3>\n

Skenes, drafted first overall in the 2023 MLB Draft, has been the talk of the town since his selection. His combination of fastball velocity, breaking stuff, and composure on the mound has drawn comparisons to some of the league’s top pitchers. However, as of now, the numbers tell a different story. With each passing game, the pressure has been mounting for Skenes to deliver a win, not only for the team but also to validate the high expectations placed upon him.<\/p>\n

In his most recent outing against the Cardinals, Skenes displayed flashes of brilliance. He struck out several batters with his electric fastball and showed improvement in his command compared to earlier starts. However, inconsistency has plagued his performances, leading to moments where he struggled to escape innings unscathed. The Cardinals made the most of those miscues, utilizing their experience and savvy to push across the necessary runs.<\/p>\n

The Game Breakdown<\/h3>\n

The game was tightly contested from the onset, with both pitchers displaying excellent control. For the Cardinals, their starter set the tone early by keeping Pirates hitters off balance. Skenes matched him pitch for pitch, but the Cardinals\u2019 lineup managed to find gaps. <\/p>\n

The scoring began in the fourth inning, when the Cardinals struck first, courtesy of a well-placed single that allowed their runner to cross home plate. For Skenes, it was a tough pill to swallow. While the run was earned, it highlighted the thin margin for error that often exists in Major League baseball. <\/p>\n

The Pirates answered back in the sixth, showing resilience as they managed to tie the game. An impressive sequence of hits culminated in a run crossing the plate, offering a glimmer of hope to the visiting fans at Busch Stadium. The energy in the Pirates dugout was palpable, as they looked to seize control of the game.<\/p>\n

However, the Cardinals came firing right back. In the bottom of the seventh inning, the Cardinals put together a small but effective rally, knocking in what would be the game-winning run. Skenes, despite his best efforts, couldn\u2019t prevent the harm. His final line, while not terrible, included too many hits, a couple of earned runs, and a series of lost opportunities, reinforcing the idea that he still needs time to fully adjust to big-league hitters.<\/p>\n

Key Takeaways<\/h3>\n
    \n
  1. \n

    Inconsistent Performances<\/strong>: The lack of consistency from Skenes remains a concern. While glimpses of his potential shine through, the inability to put together a solid start consistently indicates that there\u2019s still work to be done. Learning to navigate tough innings and minimize damage will be key as he develops.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n

  2. \n

    Offensive Production<\/strong>: The Pirates struggled to find timely hitting. While they managed to score a run, they left runners stranded, particularly in late innings when they had opportunities to make a comeback. This has been a recurring theme for the Pirates, who need more from their bats if they hope to support their pitching staff, especially inexperienced arms like Skenes.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n

  3. Learning Experience<\/strong>: For a team that is in a rebuilding phase, games like this are crucial for learning. Each loss serves as a valuable lesson, particularly for players who are new to the league. Skenes\u2019 experience in this game, facing a veteran lineup, will contribute to his development moving forward.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

    Looking Ahead<\/h3>\n

    As the seasons dwindle down, every game now carries immense weight, especially for a team like the Pirates fighting to end on a positive note. While Skenes’ quest for that elusive first win continues, the spotlight remains on his development. With each outing, the hope is that he will take incremental steps toward becoming the ace the Pirates envision.<\/p>\n

    The Pirates will need to rally around their young star, supporting him as he navigates the complexities of major league baseball. In the end, it\u2019s not just about wins and losses; it\u2019s about growth, resilience, and building the foundation for a brighter future.<\/p>\n

    In concluding, the budding rivalry and competitive spirit between the Pirates and Cardinals offer an exciting narrative for fans, one that they hope will lead to more successes for Pittsburgh as they aim for the top of the National League Central in the seasons to come.<\/p>\n

    The Pittsburgh Pirates faced off against the St. Louis Cardinals and continued to struggle, suffering a 2-1 defeat. Despite a solid performance, the Pirates remain winless against the Cardinals this season. The game highlighted pitching strengths on both sides, but the Cardinals managed to secure the win with timely hitting and solid defense, keeping the Pirates at bay throughout the contest. This loss adds to the Pirates’ challenges as they seek to improve their standing in the league.<\/p>\n

    Tm-En-4<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

    What has Paul Skenes accomplished in his career against the St. Louis Cardinals? How did Alec Burleson’s performance impact Skenes in the game? What are the challenges the Pirates are facing offensively, according to their manager? How does Skenes’ earned run average compare to his win-loss record against the Cardinals? PITTSBURGH (AP) \u2014 Pittsburgh Pirates […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":109466,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[2],"tags":[28028,7430,26106,1085,24474,1789],"class_list":["post-129591","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-general","tag-cardinals","tag-defeat","tag-pirates","tag-remain","tag-skenes","tag-win"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/teknomers.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/129591","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/teknomers.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/teknomers.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/teknomers.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/teknomers.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=129591"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/teknomers.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/129591\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/teknomers.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/109466"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/teknomers.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=129591"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/teknomers.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=129591"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/teknomers.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=129591"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}