Paul Skenes pitches 7 no-hit innings as Pirates blank Brewers - ESPN

MILWAUKEE — Paul Skenes struck out 11 in seven no-hit innings in another dominant performance, and the Pittsburgh Pirates beat the Milwaukee Brewers 1-0 on Thursday.

Skenes threw 99 pitches in his 11th major league start, 65 for strikes. The All-Star right-hander walked one while lowering his ERA to 1.90.

Paul Skenes has 89 strikeouts with a 1.90 ERA this season, the most punchouts with a sub-2.00 ERA through 11 starts since ERA became an official statistic in 1913.

Colin Holderman replaced Skenes (6-0) and surrendered a leadoff single to Jake Bauers for Milwaukee's first hit. The Brewers loaded the bases with two down in the eighth, but Holderman escaped the jam when he struck out William Contreras swinging.

Aroldis Chapman handled the ninth for his fourth save, finishing a two-hitter for Pittsburgh.

This is the second time this season that Skenes was removed from a start without allowing a hit. On May 17, against the Chicago Cubs, he pitched six hitless innings and also struck out 11 batters. The Pirates won that game 9-3.

The Pirates' last no-hitter came on July 12, 1997, in a combined effort against the Houston Astros, according to ESPN Stats & Information research.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.