Paul Skenes Throws Seven No-Hit Innings, Pirates Immediately Blow It

The legend of Pittsburgh Pirates rookie star Paul Skenes continues to grow.

Skenes made his debut in Major League Baseball on May 12, just two months ago, and has been arguably the best pitcher in the sport since. On Thursday, he may have had his best start yet. And it was perfectly timed to solidify his case to start the All-Star Game next week. 

READ: Should Pirates Rookie Pitcher Paul Skenes Start The MLB All-Star Game?

Skenes went up against the first place Milwaukee Brewers on Thursday afternoon and was, quite literally, unhittable. He completed seven innings, allowing zero hits, striking out 11 hitters with just one walk and a hit batter. 

He relied heavily on a devastating backdoor slider, throwing it for looking strikes and swinging strikes. He threw his "splinker," a splitter/sinker combo for swings and misses. And of course, he frequently mixed in his 100+mph fastball.

It doesn't get much better than that.

ST LOUIS - Paul Skenes of the Pittsburgh Pirates delivers a pitch against the St. Louis Cardinals at Busch Stadium on June 11, 2024. (Photo by Dilip Vishwanat/Getty Images)

Paul Skenes Makes History With Second No-Hit Performance

Skenes threw 99 pitches before being removed heading into the eighth inning. And quite literally, the first batter the Pirates bullpen faced broke up the no-hitter. Still, Pittsburgh held on to a tight 1-0 victory behind Skenes' dominant effort.

Thursday's remarkable performance also put the 23-year-old in elite company. He joined Nolan Ryan as the only two pitchers to have more than one start of six innings or more with 11 strikeouts and no hits allowed in the same year.

It's easy to dream on what a prospect or young player could be as they gain more experience at the top level of professional baseball. Skenes though, has exceeded even the most optimistic of expectations. 

Through the first 11 games of his career, he's shown he's not a future ace, he's a current one. A 1.90 ERA, 89 strikeouts in 66.1 innings with just 13 walks and 48 hits allowed. It doesn't get much better than that.