Rookie All-Star Paul Skenes throws seven hitless innings in Milwaukee Brewers, but Holderman surrenders a hit in the 8th inning
Pittsburgh Pirates rookie pitcher Paul Skenes kept the Milwaukee Brewers hitless through seven innings on Thursday. However, left-hander Colin Holderman took over in the eighth inning and gave up a single to the first batter, Jake Bauers.
Skenes, a 22-year-old All-Star making his 11th start, threw 99 pitches. He struck out 11 batters and walked one.
Skenes (5-0) faced a challenge in the second inning when he hit one batter and walked another, putting two runners on base with two outs. He managed to strike out Andruw Monasterio after an eight-pitch battle.
No other Brewers managed to reach base against Skenes. The Pirates held a narrow 1-0 lead when Skenes left the game.
In the third inning, William Contreras hit a foul ball into the second deck that narrowly missed the left field foul pole. Contreras pushed Skenes to 10 pitches before striking out.
In the seventh inning, second baseman Nick Gonzales chased down a 236-foot popup from Willy Adames, almost colliding with center fielder Jack Suwinski in the process. Skenes threw only six pitches in the seventh inning.
Skenes didn’t reach 100 mph until his 23rd pitch, striking out Adames looking in the second inning. He entered the game with 78 strikeouts in 59⅓ innings, including 74 pitches of 100 mph or more.
read more: Texas Rangers vs. Houston Astros: Preview, How To Watch, Listen, Stream
The Texas Rangers have one final series to improve their standing in the American League West as they travel to Houston to face the Astros.
The Rangers (44-49) have been on a streak of late, as they’ve won five of their last six games. They are now 6.5 games behind the Seattle Mariners in the AL West.
The Astros (49-44), who have turned around their season after a moribund April and May, are just 1.5 games back of the Mariners.
Texas is actually further back in the AL Wild Card race (7.5 games) than the division race. The Astros are a game out of the Wild Card race.
Rangers outfielder Wyatt Langford has put together an impressive streak of hitting since the Rangers’ series against the Mets in mid-June. He’s emerged as one of Texas’ top run producers of late, even making an appearance in the clean-up spot.
The Rangers are preparing for the All-Star break and to host the All-Star Game on Tuesday. Texas second baseman Marcus Semien will start after Houston’s Jose Altuve was ruled out for the game with an injury. Pitcher Kirby Yates is part of the AL pitching staff, while outfielder Adolis García will participate in Monday’s All-Star Home Run Derby.
Here is the preview for the game, with probable pitchers, how to watch, listen and more.
