Paul Skenes dominates and the Pirates erupt in the 10th for an 8-4 win over the Tigers on June 20. See how Ke'Bryan Hayes led the Bucs to a wild doubleheader split.
StatPro MLB Beat Reporter
In a day filled with rain delays, controversial calls, and simmering tensions, the Pittsburgh Pirates saved their best for last. After ace Paul Skenes delivered yet another masterful performance, the Bucs' offense erupted for four runs in the 10th inning to secure a dramatic 8-4 victory over the Detroit Tigers, splitting a chaotic doubleheader and washing away the taste of an earlier loss.
With his latest gem, Paul Skenes now leads the National League in both innings pitched (102) and ERA (1.85), with an MLB-best 12 quality starts.
Just when you think Paul Skenes can't get any better, he finds another gear. The rookie phenom was simply dominant in the nightcap, carving up the Tigers for six innings while striking out nine. He allowed just two runs on three hits, lowering his ERA to a minuscule 1.85, which now leads the entire National League. He's not just an innings-eater; he's a true ace, giving the Pirates a chance to win every single time he takes the mound. His 12th quality start of the year leads all of MLB, solidifying his case as not just the Rookie of the Year frontrunner, but a legitimate Cy Young candidate.
After the Tigers tied the game late and a 75-minute rain delay paused the action in the ninth, the 10th inning felt like a pressure cooker. The Pirates didn't flinch. Ke'Bryan Hayes came through with a pinch-hit, go-ahead RBI single, followed immediately by another RBI single from catcher Joey Bart. With the floodgates open, Isiah Kiner-Falefa delivered the knockout blow, a two-run single to cap the four-run rally. The inning was so intense it led to Tigers manager A.J. Hinch getting ejected for arguing a call at the plate, a perfect symbol of the Pirates' relentless late-game push.
This win didn't come easy. The doubleheader was a grind, marked by long rain delays and a controversial interference call that helped the Tigers rally in the fifth. The Pirates had built an early 4-0 lead thanks to long balls from Nick Gonzales, Jared Triolo, and Andrew McCutchen, only to see it evaporate on a Colt Keith homer in the eighth. But through it all, the team showed resilience. David Bednar locked down the final two innings for the win, proving the bullpen could handle the high-leverage moments and secure a victory the team desperately needed.
While Skenes dominates in the majors, the future is brewing in the minors. Top prospect Konnor Griffin is turning heads with his incredible athleticism, splitting time between shortstop and center field and making highlight-reel plays at both. His development fuels the debate about his ultimate defensive home. The system remains rich in pitching with names like Bubba Chandler, Braxton Ashcraft, and Thomas Harrington, but the organization is still waiting for a top-30 prospect to graduate to Pittsburgh this season, and the lack of impact bats at the upper levels remains a point of concern.
It was a day that had a little bit of everything, but the Pirates leave Detroit with a hard-earned split and another reminder of the special talent they have in Paul Skenes. Now, they head home to PNC Park to face the Texas Rangers, with another promising arm, Mike Burrows, set to take the mound. Let's see if the offensive fireworks from the 10th inning can carry over and spark a new winning streak.
