Paul Skenes earns an All-Star nod, but the Pittsburgh Pirates' bats fall silent in a 6-0 shutout loss to the Seattle Mariners on July 6, 2025. Read more.
StatPro MLB Beat Reporter
Well, that's one way to end a road trip. Sunday was a classic 'good news, bad news' day for the Pittsburgh Pirates. While the organization celebrated Paul Skenes being named an All-Star for the second straight season, the on-field product left much to be desired as the Bucs were completely stifled by the Seattle Mariners in a 6-0 shutout loss.
Paul Skenes is the first Pirates starting pitcher to earn back-to-back All-Star selections since Bob Veale in 1965-66.
It was a tough day at the office for the Pirates' ace. While Paul Skenes battled through six innings, he wasn't his usual dominant self, surrendering three earned runs on five hits, including a costly homer to Randy Arozarena. His final line—6.0 IP, 3 ER, 2 BB, 7 K—is respectable, but it wasn't enough to overcome a completely dormant offense. The bats went ice-cold, scratching out just three hits all afternoon from Andrew McCutchen and Tommy Pham. This loss marks the second time in three games the Pirates have been shut out, a concerning trend that abruptly ended the momentum from their recent six-game winning streak.
Despite the loss, it's impossible to ignore the major personal accomplishment for Skenes. Being named to the National League All-Star team is a huge honor, but doing it in back-to-back seasons to start your career is truly special. He's the first Pirates pitcher to get consecutive nods since David Bednar (2022-23) and, more impressively, the first *starting* pitcher to do it since Bob Veale way back in 1965-66. It's a testament to his immediate and sustained impact on this league. We'll all be watching when he takes the mound in Atlanta for the Midsummer Classic on July 15.
In some minor housekeeping news, the Pirates also made a move to bolster their pitching depth. The team signed right-hander Yohan Ramírez to a minor league contract. Ramírez, who has previous big-league experience, will report to Triple-A Indianapolis. While not a headline-grabbing move, adding experienced arms to the system is always a prudent step for a long season.
Losing a series is always tough, especially via back-to-back shutouts. The six-game winning streak feels like a distant memory now. The Pirates need to flush this weekend's performance and find their offensive groove as they head home. With the All-Star break just around the corner, the team has a chance to reset and prepare for a crucial second-half push. For now, we'll tip our cap to our All-Star ace and hope the bats wake up soon.
