Trending Now - Skenes Struggles in Short Opening Day Stint Against Mets

WHO:

Paul Skenes, Pittsburgh Pirates ace and reigning NL Cy Young Award winner

O'Neil Cruz, center fielder for the Pittsburgh Pirates

Don Kelly, manager of the Pittsburgh Pirates

Francisco Lindor, player for the New York Mets

Juan Soto, player for the New York Mets

Bo Bichette, player for the New York Mets

Jorge Polanco, player for the New York Mets

Luis Robert Jr., player for the New York Mets

Brett Baty, player for the New York Mets

Marcus Semien, player for the New York Mets

Carson Benge, player for the Pittsburgh Pirates

Francisco Alvarez, player for the New York Mets

Freddy Peralta, starting pitcher for the New York Mets

Paul Skenes, Pittsburgh Pirates ace and reigning NL Cy Young Award winner

O'Neil Cruz, center fielder for the Pittsburgh Pirates

Don Kelly, manager of the Pittsburgh Pirates

Francisco Lindor, player for the New York Mets

Juan Soto, player for the New York Mets

Bo Bichette, player for the New York Mets

Jorge Polanco, player for the New York Mets

Luis Robert Jr., player for the New York Mets

Brett Baty, player for the New York Mets

Marcus Semien, player for the New York Mets

Carson Benge, player for the Pittsburgh Pirates

Francisco Alvarez, player for the New York Mets

Brandon Lowe, infielder for the Pittsburgh Pirates, hit a two-run homer in his debut.

Freddy Peralta, starting pitcher for the New York Mets.

Paul Skenes, Pittsburgh Pirates ace and reigning NL Cy Young Award winner

Don Kelly, manager of the Pittsburgh Pirates

O'Neil Cruz, center fielder for the Pittsburgh Pirates

Francisco Lindor, player for the New York Mets

Juan Soto, player for the New York Mets

Bo Bichette, player for the New York Mets

Jorge Polanco, player for the New York Mets

Luis Robert Jr., player for the New York Mets

Brett Baty, player for the New York Mets

Marcus Semien, player for the New York Mets

Francisco Alvarez, player for the New York Mets

WHAT:

Skenes faced a seven-pitch walk to Francisco Lindor and a single from Juan Soto before allowing a sacrifice fly from Bo Bichette.

Skenes allowed a bases-clearing triple to Brett Baty after a misplay by O'Neil Cruz.

Skenes' final line was five runs allowed on four hits and two walks, with one strikeout over two-thirds of an inning.

Skenes threw 37 pitches, with 26 for strikes, generating five swing-and-misses and the Mets compiling 10 foul balls.

Skenes took the loss against the Mets, marking his record at 0-1 for the season.

The Pirates lost the game 11-7 against the Mets.

Skenes' ERA started at 67.50.

The five runs allowed tied a career high for Skenes.

Skenes' outing was the shortest season debut by a reigning Cy Young winner among those whose first appearance was a start.

Skenes recorded just two outs before being pulled from the game.

Skenes faced a seven-pitch walk to Francisco Lindor and a single from Juan Soto before allowing a sacrifice fly from Bo Bichette.

Skenes allowed a bases-clearing triple to Brett Baty after a misplay by O'Neil Cruz.

Skenes' final line was five runs allowed on four hits and two walks, with one strikeout over two-thirds of an inning.

Skenes threw 37 pitches, with 26 for strikes, generating five swing-and-misses and the Mets compiling 10 foul balls.

Brandon Lowe hit the first home run of the 2026 MLB season on March 26th, 2026.

Lowe went 2-for-4 with two home runs and three RBI in the game against the Mets.

Skenes' outing lasted only two-thirds of an inning, marking the shortest season debut by a reigning Cy Young winner among those whose first appearance was a start.

Skenes took the loss against the Mets, marking his record at 0-1 for the season.

Skenes' outing was the shortest season debut by a reigning Cy Young winner among those whose first appearance was a start.

The Pirates lost the game 11-7 against the Mets.

Paul Skenes allowed five runs in two-thirds of an inning during the season opener against the New York Mets

Skenes' final line: 5 runs allowed on 4 hits and 2 walks

Skenes' ERA started at 67.50

The five runs allowed tied a career high for Skenes

Skenes threw 37 pitches, with 26 for strikes

Skenes generated 5 swing-and-misses and the Mets compiled 10 foul balls

WHERE:

Citi Field, Queens borough of New York City

WHEN:

March 26th, 2026, was the date of the game.

March 26th, 2026

Skenes' outing was the shortest of his career

WHY:

Manager Don Kelly stated that Skenes' early exit was "pitch count related" due to his workload during the World Baseball Classic, where he threw over 70 pitches in his semifinal start against the Dominican Republic.

Skenes was pulled due to a combination of poor performance and defensive miscues by O'Neil Cruz

Manager Don Kelly stated the early exit was "pitch count related" due to Skenes' workload during the World Baseball Classic

HOW:

Skenes was removed after hitting Francisco Alvarez with a pitch, with two outs and runners on first and second base.

Skenes faced a series of misplays, including two errors by O'Neil Cruz that contributed to the Mets' scoring.

Skenes struck out Carson Benge with three straight fastballs before hitting Francisco Alvarez with a pitch, prompting manager Don Kelly to remove him from the game.

Skenes began the game with a walk to Francisco Lindor, followed by a single from Juan Soto

Bo Bichette hit a sacrifice fly, scoring the first run for the Mets

Skenes faced a series of misplays, including two errors by O'Neil Cruz that contributed to the Mets' scoring

Skenes was removed after hitting Francisco Alvarez with a pitch, with two outs and runners on first and second base

(UPDATED March 27, 2026 05:32 UTC)

In a challenging season debut on March 26, 2026, Pittsburgh Pirates ace Paul Skenes faced a tough outing against the New York Mets, allowing five runs on four hits and two walks before being pulled after just two-thirds of an inning. Skenes' performance included a seven-pitch walk to Francisco Lindor, a single from Juan Soto, and a bases-clearing triple to Brett Baty, ultimately leading to an 11-7 loss for the Pirates. Manager Don Kelly noted that Skenes' early exit was related to his pitch count, as he had thrown over 70 pitches in the World Baseball Classic just days prior.

(UPDATED March 27, 2026 03:51 UTC)

In a surprising turn during the game against the New York Mets, Pittsburgh Pirates ace Paul Skenes was pulled after just two outs, allowing five runs on four hits and two walks. Skenes faced a challenging start, giving up a seven-pitch walk to Francisco Lindor and a single to Juan Soto, followed by a bases-clearing triple to Brett Baty after a misplay by O'Neil Cruz. Manager Don Kelly explained that Skenes' early exit was related to his pitch count, as he had thrown over 70 pitches in his recent World Baseball Classic semifinal appearance.

(UPDATED March 27, 2026 01:22 UTC)

On March 26, 2026, Brandon Lowe made an impressive debut for the Pittsburgh Pirates, hitting the first home run of the MLB season with a two-run shot, while also going two-for-four with two homers and three RBIs against the New York Mets. The game was marked by a challenging outing for reigning Cy Young winner Paul Skenes, who lasted only two-thirds of an inning, the shortest season debut for a Cy Young winner in a starting role, due in part to two errors by O'Neil Cruz that helped the Mets score. Freddy Peralta was on the mound for the Mets during this exciting matchup.

(UPDATED March 26, 2026 23:08 UTC)

In a tough season debut, Skenes took the loss against the Mets, bringing his record to zero wins and one loss. His outing was notably the shortest for a reigning Cy Young winner making their first start of the season, as he struck out Carson Benge with three straight fastballs before hitting Francisco Alvarez, which led to his removal by manager Don Kelly. Ultimately, the Pirates fell to the Mets with a final score of 11 to 7.

(UPDATED March 26, 2026 21:09 UTC)

In a tough season opener at Citi Field, Pittsburgh Pirates ace Paul Skenes struggled, allowing five runs in just two-thirds of an inning against the New York Mets, which tied a career high for him. Skenes faced a challenging start, walking Francisco Lindor and giving up a single to Juan Soto before being pulled after hitting Francisco Alvarez with a pitch, compounded by defensive miscues from O'Neil Cruz. Manager Don Kelly noted that Skenes' early exit was also influenced by pitch count considerations following his workload during the World Baseball Classic.