Pirates lose to Cubs 5-2 on June 13, 2025, as another dominant Paul Skenes start is wasted by a struggling offense. Read how the Bucs fell at Wrigley.
StatPro MLB Beat Reporter
It's a script Pirates fans are getting frustratingly familiar with. Paul Skenes takes the mound, looks every bit the ace he's billed to be, and the offense just can't provide the support. That story played out again under the Friday lights at Wrigley Field, as the Pirates fell to the Chicago Cubs 5-2, wasting another gem from their rookie phenom.
We have the arms to compete, but we need to string together better at-bats and keep the line moving.
Paul Skenes was once again the main event. The rookie right-hander carved through the Cubs' lineup for six innings, allowing three runs but racking up eight strikeouts. His fastball had bite and his slider was wicked, a performance that had the Pirates' social media team quickly cutting up a highlight reel. Despite the loss, Skenes delivered a quality start, lowering his season ERA to 3.41 and bringing his strikeout total to an impressive 92 in just 74.2 innings. He kept the Pirates in the game, but he can't hit for them too.
Manager Don Kelly's pre-game plea for 'consistent run production' went largely unanswered. The Pirates' offense sputtered, managing just two runs against their division rivals. The lone bright spots were a solo home run from Adam Frazier in the seventh and an RBI double from Spencer Horwitz. But key hitters like Oneil Cruz (0-for-4, 2 K) were silenced, and the team couldn't string together rallies. The game was tied 2-2 before the Cubs broke it open with a two-run single in the seventh, and the Pirates bullpen couldn't stop the bleeding, allowing two more runs late.
While the big-league club struggles for consistency, the future continues to develop down on the farm. Top prospect Griffin is turning heads, showcasing incredible athleticism and defensive versatility by splitting time between shortstop and center field. His development, alongside the Pirates' well-regarded pitching pipeline, represents the long-term plan. The organization's focus on building a complete team is clear, but for fans watching the current product, that future can't come soon enough.
The loss stings, dropping the Pirates to 29-41 and highlighting the most glaring issue this team faces. While watching Paul Skenes pitch is appointment television, the Pirates won't climb out of this hole until they solve their offensive puzzle. With the series against the Cubs continuing, the question remains the same: can the bats finally wake up and give their pitchers the support they deserve?
