Skenes dominates, Pirates beat Diamondbacks for series win
Associated Press
Associated press
PHOENIX — Paul Skenes dominated in six-plus scoreless innings, O’Neil Cruz hit a two-run homer and the Pittsburgh Pirates rolled over the Arizona Diamondbacks 10-1 on Wednesday.
The Pirates rallied from down 6-2 with seven runs in the eighth inning to beat the Diamondbacks 9-6 on Tuesday night.
There was no need for a comeback with Skenes (4-5) on the mound.
Last year’s NL rookie of the year allowed four hits, struck out seven and walked none in 6 2/3 innings. Skenes has not allowed more than six hits in an MLB-record 35 starts to open his career.
Pittsburgh took two of three from Arizona for its first road series win and second overall since April 22-24 against the Los Angeles Angels.
Arizona’s Zac Gallen (3-7) allowed six runs — five earned — on six hits with three strikeouts and three walks in five innings. Gallen walked the leadoff batter three times and all three scored.
Arizona has lost seven of eight.
Henry Davis hit a run-scoring single in the second inning after a leadoff walk and Pittsburgh scored two runs in the fifth on second baseman Jordan Lawler’s throwing error following a leadoff walk.
Gallen issued another leadoff walk in the sixth inning and was pulled after Ke’Bryan Hayes’ run-scoring single. Isiah Kiner-Falefa hit a two-run double off Juan Morillo and Bryan Reynolds made it 8-0 with a run-scoring triple.
Prior to the game, the Pirates reinstated catcher/first baseman Endy Rodríguez from the 10-day injured list and placed catcher Joey Bart on the seven-day concussion injured list. Rodriguez had been out since being hit on the hand on a pitch in the dirt by Skenes, an injury that required five stitches. Rodriguez is hitting .178 in 15 games this season. Bart left Tuesday night’s game against Arizona after being hit on the back of the head on a backswing by Diamondbacks outfielder Lourdes Gurriel Jr. in the fourth inning. Bart tried to stay in the game but left while warming up reliever Joey Wentz in the fifth.
Key moment
Kiner-Falefa broke the game open with his double in the sixth.
Key stat
Pittsburgh scored 19 straight runs against Arizona in two games before pinch hitter Tim Tawa’s leadoff homer in the ninth.
Next
Pirates RHP Mitch Keller (1-6, 3.66 ERA) pitches the opener of a three-games series at San Diego on Friday. The Diamondbacks have not announced a starter for Friday’s opener of a three-game home series against Washington.