Paul Skenes becomes the first pitcher since 1901 to achieve seven or more strikeouts in at least 10 of his first 11 career appearances.
MILWAUKEE — Paul Skenes struck out 11 batters over seven no-hit innings, leading the Pittsburgh Pirates to a 1-0 victory over the Milwaukee Brewers on Thursday.
During his 11th major league start, Skenes threw 99 pitches, with 65 being strikes. The All-Star right-hander allowed just one walk and lowered his ERA to 1.90.
“It’s all about execution,” Skenes stated. “If that means getting strikeouts, then that’s how it is. It’s just about getting outs.”
With 89 strikeouts and a 1.90 ERA this season, Skenes has recorded the highest number of strikeouts for any pitcher with a sub-2.00 ERA through 11 starts since the ERA became an official statistic in 1913.
Colin Holderman took over for Skenes and allowed a single to Jake Bauers, marking Milwaukee’s first hit. The Brewers loaded the bases in the eighth inning but Holderman struck out William Contreras to escape the threat.
Aroldis Chapman pitched the ninth inning to secure his fourth save, completing a two-hitter for Pittsburgh.
Skenes, drafted No. 1 overall last year out of LSU, has allowed two runs or fewer in nine of his 11 major league starts.
The Pirates’ manager Derek Shelton remarked, “I don’t think anybody expects it to be like this when you reach the big leagues.”
According to ESPN Stats & Information research, Pittsburgh’s last no-hitter was a combined effort against the Houston Astros on July 12, 1997.
Aaron Civale (2-7) delivered an impressive performance for Milwaukee, pitching into the seventh inning with a six-hit effort. The NL Central leaders have now lost five of their last seven games.
The Pirates scored the game’s only run in the seventh inning. Ke’Bryan Hayes led off with a single, then Jack Suwinski reached on a fielder’s choice. Yasmani Grandal doubled, allowing Suwinski to score from first with a headfirst slide.
Following a walk to Andrew McCutchen, Civale was replaced by Bryan Hudson, who then induced an inning-ending double play.
Milwaukee’s first baserunner came when Skenes hit Bauers in the second inning, followed by a walk to Garrett Mitchell. However, Skenes struck out Andruw Monasterio to end the inning.
William Contreras nearly hit a home run in the third inning, but his foul ball missed the foul pole. Skenes struck him out after a 10-pitch battle.
Skenes remained composed, even pausing to tie his shoe after striking out Willy Adames in the fourth inning.
“When you stick to your process and focus on executing pitches, things tend to fall into place,” Skenes noted.
Skenes retired the final 16 batters he faced, striking out eight of them. His total stands at 89 strikeouts over 66⅓ innings.
“Pitchers in the majors have velocity, but Skenes keeps you off-balance with his unpredictability,” said Milwaukee’s Christian Yelich. “We could have forced him out of the game sooner with better at-bats.”
The Pirates previously beat the Brewers 12-2 on Tuesday but lost 9-0 on Wednesday. Milwaukee had won nine consecutive home series.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.