Pirates fall to Rockies 8-5 on Aug 3, 2025, as Paul Skenes' streak ends. Liover Peguero's two homers offer a bright spot in a tough loss for Pittsburgh.
StatPro MLB Beat Reporter
It was one of those nights in the Mile High City that perfectly captured where the Pittsburgh Pirates are right now: moments of brilliant hope overshadowed by the harsh reality of a team in transition. While Liover Peguero was busy launching baseballs into the Denver night, Paul Skenes finally looked human, and the sting of an 8-5 loss to the Rockies felt a little sharper in the wake of a franchise-altering trade deadline.
Two homers, four RBIs. In a game where the Pirates' ace saw his historic streak end, Liover Peguero showed he's ready to help write the next chapter.
All good things must come to an end, and for Paul Skenes, that end came in the form of a Jordan Beck three-run homer. The rookie phenom's incredible scoreless streak was snapped, and it seemed to rattle him. Skenes ultimately battled through five innings, but allowing five runs while striking out seven is a line we're not used to seeing from him. It's a tough lesson at altitude for the young ace, a reminder that even the most electric arms will have nights where they get hit. The bullpen couldn't stop the bleeding either, surrendering another three runs to seal the Pirates' fate.
If you were looking for a reason to smile, look no further than Liover Peguero. The young infielder was the entire offense for the Bucs, single-handedly trying to will them back into the game. His first blast was a three-run shot in the 5th that traveled a cool 383 feet with a 101.6 mph exit velocity. He wasn't done, adding a solo shot in the 9th to account for four of the team's five runs. In a lineup missing the familiar face of Ke'Bryan Hayes, Peguero's performance was a powerful statement that he's ready to seize a larger role.
This loss can't be viewed in a vacuum. It comes just days after GM Ben Cherington shipped out cornerstone players Ke'Bryan Hayes and David Bednar in deals that netted four new top-30 prospects. The message from the front office is clear: the focus is firmly on competing in 2026. While that's a tough pill to swallow now, it reframes games like tonight. We're no longer just watching for wins and losses; we're scouting the future. Performances like Peguero's are what matter most as the organization evaluates who will be part of that next competitive core.
So yes, the loss stings, and seeing Skenes' streak end is a bummer. But this is the new reality for the 2025 Pirates. The rest of this season is an audition. It's about finding the next Peguero, watching the prospects develop, and seeing which players can handle the pressure as the team builds towards that 2026 window. Buckle up, Bucs fans. It's going to be a bumpy ride, but nights like tonight show there are still flashes of light pointing the way forward.
