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- Paul Skenes dazzles in his first start since the All-Star Game as the Pirates blank the Tigers 3-0</p>
<p>WILL GRAVES July 21, 2025 at 8:16 PM</p>
<p>PITTSBURGH (AP) — Paul Skenes allowed three hits over six efficient innings and the Pittsburgh Pirates beat the Detroit Tigers 3-0 on Monday night.</p>
<p>Skenes (5-8), who last week became the first pitcher to start the All-Star game in each of the first two years of his career, struck out six, walked one and a hit batter to pick up his first victory since late May.</p>
<p>The 23-year-old lowered his ERA to a major league-best 1.91 as Pittsburgh responded from a weekend sweep at home by the lowly Chicago White Sox by keeping the team that entered Monday with the best record in the majors in check.</p>
<p>The Pirates did enough against Jack Flaherty (5-10) to give Skenes a bit of breathing room, a rarity during Pittsburgh's frustrating season.</p>
<p>Spencer Horwitz had three hits for the Pirates, including a run-scoring single in the second. Bryan Reynolds hit a two-run single two batters later, and Skenes and three relievers made it hold up. David Bednar worked the ninth for his 14th save.</p>
<p>Parker Meadows doubled for Detroit, which has dropped seven of eight but still has a double-digit lead in the AL Central. Flaherty lasted three innings and is winless in his last seven starts.</p>
<p>Key moment</p>
<p>The closest Detroit came to scoring against Skenes came in the third when the Tigers' first two batters reached. A fly ball, a fielder's choice, and a strikeout on a 99 mph fastball later, Skenes was back in the dugout.</p>
<p>Key stat</p>
<p>Pirates designated hitter Andrew McCutchen recorded his 2,233rd career hit on a single in the fourth inning, moving past Hall of Famer Willie Stargell and into 180th on MLB's hit list.</p>
<p>Up next</p>
<p>Detroit's Casey Mize (9-3, 3.15 ERA) will try to reach 10 wins for the first time in his career on Tuesday when he faces Pittsburgh's Mitch Keller (3-10, 3.48).</p>
<p>___</p>
<p>AP MLB: https://ift.tt/lraUS6Y>
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Source: "AOL AOL Sports"
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