Paul Skenes Struggles Again as Phillies Hammer Pirates Ace

Paul Skenes is trapped in a downward spiral that seems to deepen with each passing game. On Wednesday, the Philadelphia Phillies handed the Pirates’ ace a career-worst outing, scoring a staggering seven earned runs—and eight total—in just four innings of play. This latest performance marks a troubling continuation of Skenes’ winless streak, which has now stretched to nine starts.

Trea Turner ignited the Phillies’ offense with a three-run homer, while Brandon Marsh added a solo shot, propelling Philadelphia to an early 8-4 lead before many fans had even settled in with their first hot dog and beer. The offensive onslaught underscores the struggles Skenes has faced since May 12, the last time he recorded a victory.

Since that win against the Rockies, the Pirates have not triumphed in any game started by Skenes. His decline began shortly thereafter, as the Phillies tagged him for five runs in five innings during their encounter on May 17. In the subsequent outings, Skenes has surrendered 28 earned runs and seven home runs over 47 innings, resulting in a 5.36 ERA—a stark contrast to his earlier seasons where he never finished with an ERA above 1.97.

This drastic change is especially jarring for a pitcher of Skenes’ caliber, who was named the NL Rookie of the Year in 2024 and clinched the Cy Young Award in 2025. As he grapples with these recent struggles, fans and analysts alike are left wondering when, or if, the talented right-hander will regain his dominant form.

Note: This recap is an independently written summary based on publicly available reporting.