Pirates lose to Tigers 9-2 on June 19, 2025, as Paul Skenes struggles despite a Jared Triolo homer. Read how Detroit dismantled the Bucs' early lead.
StatPro MLB Beat Reporter
For a brief, glorious moment in the second inning, it felt like the Pirates had solved the puzzle. Jared Triolo launched a mammoth two-run homer, pushing the Bucs to an early 3-0 lead in the first game of a doubleheader. But the hope was fleeting. The Detroit Tigers roared back, tagging rookie phenom Paul Skenes and cruising to a 9-2 victory that sealed a series loss for Pittsburgh.
A 422-foot blast to center field, leaving the bat at 106.3 mph.
The offensive highlight was undeniably Jared Triolo's second-inning masterpiece. He turned on a pitch from Tyler Holton and sent it soaring 422 feet to dead center for his third home run of the season. The blast, which came off the bat at 106.3 mph, gave the Pirates what felt like a commanding early lead. Veteran Andrew McCutchen did his part to keep the line moving, collecting two hits in four at-bats and driving in a run, raising his season average to .267. But beyond those sparks and lone hits from Nick Gonzales and Alexander Canario, the offense went quiet, unable to answer when Detroit made its move.
All eyes were on Paul Skenes, who entered the contest with a sparkling 1.78 ERA. However, Thursday was not his day. The Tigers' lineup finally got to the rookie, putting together a decisive rally that Skenes and the Pirates' bullpen couldn't contain. The loss was tagged to Skenes, dropping his season record to a deceptive 4-6. It's a harsh reminder that even the most talented arms will have days where they get hit, and for Skenes, it was a tough lesson learned at Comerica Park.
This loss highlights a persistent issue: a lack of consistent offensive firepower. While Triolo's homer was impressive, the team needs more sustained threats. This concern echoes throughout the organization. Down on the farm, while top pitching prospect Bubba Chandler continues to impress and Konnor Griffin emerges as an electric talent, the system is still searching for impact bats. Tellingly, the Pirates have yet to graduate a single Top 30 prospect to the majors this season, putting all the pressure on the current big-league roster to find a way to score runs more consistently.
The Pirates will look to put this frustrating series in Detroit behind them as they head home. Thursday's loss was a microcosm of their season's struggles: flashes of individual brilliance overshadowed by a lack of sustained offense and a pitching staff prone to the one bad inning. To turn things around, they'll need more than just solo homers; they'll need consistent run production from top to bottom and for their young arms, including Skenes, to bounce back with resilience. It's time to flush it and reset for the next series.
