Reigning National League Cy Young Award winner Paul Skenes had the worst start of his three-year career Wednesday, allowing eight runs (seven earned) on six hits over just four innings of work against the Philadelphia Phillies.
The Pittsburgh Pirates star didn't reach the fifth inning for just the eighth time in 72 big-league starts. He struck out just five batters, only the 14th time he's failed to record six-plus Ks in the majors.
"I didn't execute very well," Skenes said, according to the Associated Press. "That's really what it comes down to. I fell behind on some counts and left some balls over the plate."
Skenes' previous career-high for earned runs allowed was five. It's the fourth time that he's allowed five-plus earned runs in a game, but the third time he's done it this year. The Phillies also tagged him for five earned runs on May 17 in Pittsburgh.
Philadelphia opened the scoring when Justin Crawford hit into a fielder's choice that scored Alec Bohm, and also brought home Bryson Stott on a Nick Gonzales throwing error. The next batter, Trea Turner, clubbed a three-run homer to give the Phillies a 5-0 lead.
Trea Turner homers in a third straight game 🔔
— MLB (@MLB) July 1, 2026
It's a 5-run @Phillies inning! pic.twitter.com/LDVfda1MuV
After the Pirates got two back in the top of the third, Brandon Marsh hit a solo homer off Skenes to extend the Phillies' lead once again. Bryce Harper added a two-RBI double in the bottom of the fourth.
The Phillies went on to win the game 10-6.
Wednesday's outing bumped Skenes' ERA to 3.62 over 97 innings this season. The 24-year-old's struggles have been amplified of late, as he owns a 4.62 ERA and 1.32 WHIP over his last seven starts.
"They're a good lineup, but I haven't made it easy on myself," Skenes said. "I just have to execute a few pitches a little better, and I think it's probably a different story.
"I don't know ... it happens. We'll figure out what it is and we'll just keep attacking it."
Skenes, the first overall pick in 2023, rocketed to superstardom when he became just the third pitcher to win both Rookie of the Year and a Cy Young Award in his first two big-league seasons.
