Paul Skenes held the Cubs to two runs and four hits over seven innings on Saturday.

The runs scored on solo homers. Skenes had 12 whiffs and struck out four before leaving with a one-run lead that was blown by Gregory Soto in the eighth. Still, it was a positive day for him. He needed just 82 pitches to get his 21 outs, and he walked only one. Skenes figures to make his next start Friday against the Royals, unless the Pirates find reason to be aggressive and start him Thursday versus the Brewers instead.