Pirates waste strong start from Paul Skenes in shutout loss to Guardians

Noah Hiles, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette on Apr 19, 2025

Published in Baseball

By clicking submit, I authorize Arcamax and its affiliates to: (1) use, sell, and share my information for marketing purposes, including cross-context behavioral advertising, as described in our Privacy Policy , (2) add to information that I provide with other information like interests inferred from web page views, or data lawfully obtained from data brokers, such as past purchase or location data, or publicly available data, (3) contact me or enable others to contact me by email or other means with offers for different types of goods and services, and (4) retain my information while I am engaging with marketing messages that I receive and for a reasonable amount of time thereafter. I understand I can opt out at any time through an email that I receive, or by clicking here

PITTSBURGH — 37,713 fans made their way to PNC Park on Saturday afternoon, some waiting in lines that stretched across the Clemente bridge and into downtown before entering the ballpark. The driving force behind the larger than normal crowd could be connected to one man: Paul Skenes, who was both starting on the mound and being honored in the form of a giveaway bobblehead to those in attendance.

Skenes did his best to put on a show for those on the North Shore. But in the end, not even a quality start from the Pirates ace was enough to get the job done, as the Guardians were the ones who came out on top, winning by a final score of 3-0.

Left fielder Steven Kwan put Cleveland ahead in the top of the third inning, singling home second baseman Daniel Schneemann, who led off the frame with a double down the first base line. Designated hitter Kyle Manzardo added on four innings later with a solo homer that reached the Allegheny River. While additional offense would follow after Skenes’ exit, those two clutch swings were enough to secure a series win for Stephen Vogt’s club.

Guardians starter Ben Lively had little issue with Derek Shelton’s lineup, throwing 5 1/3 scoreless innings en route to his first win of the season. The Pirates put a bit of pressure on the right-hander, getting a runner in scoring position in both the second and third inning, but failing to capitalize.

Pittsburgh’s best scoring chance came in the bottom of the sixth, when walks from designated hitter Oneil Cruz and first baseman Enmanuel Valdez, along with a single from Bryan Reynolds loaded the bases with only one out. Lively was pulled midway through this sequence, being replaced by Cade Smith with runners on first and second. But after walking Valdez to load the bases, Smith escaped the jam by forcing left fielder Tommy Pham to bounce into an inning-ending double play.

As the Pirates struggled to do anything productive against the Guardians’ bullpen, Cleveland’s bats added on a bit more in the late going. The Guardians’ third and final run came in the top of the eighth, when third baseman Jose Ramirez drove in shortstop Brayan Rocchio with a sacrifice fly off Pirates left-hander Caleb Ferguson.

Lively improved to 1-2 with the win, while Skenes dropped to 2-2 with the loss. All-Star closer Emmanuel Clase earned the save, his fourth of the season.

It was over when …

Manzardo connected on a first-pitch splinker from Skenes, sending the ball 411 feet to right field for his fifth homer of the season. The homer gave Cleveland an important insurance run. And with the Pirates bats once again clearly overmatched by the opposition’s pitching staff, that additional tally proved to be the dagger.

On the mound

Skenes’ pushed through to deliver seven complete innings of work, allowing two runs, both earned on six hits and a walk while striking out four. Two of his four strikeouts were recorded against the last three batters he faced. The double play ball was a friend of Skenes’ Saturday afternoon, using it to end the top of the first, third and fifth innings. Skenes finished his day with a pitch count of 103. 68 of those pitches were thrown for strikes.

Following Ferguson’s frame in the top of the eighth, David Bednar came on to pitch in the top of the ninth. Recalled Saturday morning from Triple-A Indianapolis, Bednar put up a zero in his first inning back, striking out two batters along the way.

At the plate

The Pirates had a dreadful day at the plate when it mattered most, going 0 for 8 with runners in scoring position and leaving six on base. Saturday’s loss marked the fourth time the Pirates have been shutout this season, with three of those instances occurring this week.

Most valuable player

Kwan. The Guardians leadoff hitter was the best offensive performer of the contest, going 2 for 4 with a pair of singles, a stolen base and an RBI. The run he drove home put the Guardians ahead 1-0, and ended up being the game-winner.

Up next

Mitch Keller (1-2, 4.30) will conclude the Pirates homestand Sunday afternoon, making his fifth start of the season. He will be opposed by Guardians left-hander Logan Allen (1-1, 2.30).

____