Paul Skenes' struggles continue as Pirates fall to Phillies - ESPN

PHILADELPHIA — Struggling Pittsburgh Pirates ace Paul Skenes isn't pretending to know the answers to his sudden slipups on the mound, where he has dominated for two seasons.

At least he wasn't offering any Wednesday night after his worst outing of the year. Skenes (6-8) lasted only four innings against the Philadelphia Phillies and allowed a season-high seven earned runs in a 10-6 loss.

Since beating the Colorado Rockies 3-1 on May 12 to improve to 6-2 with a 1.98 ERA, the reigning National League Cy Young Award winner has not won over his last nine starts, his record falling to 6-8 and his ERA climbing to 3.62.

His puzzlement is growing too.

«I didn't execute very well,» Skenes said. «That's really what it comes down to. I fell behind on some counts and left some balls over the plate.»

He also took his time doing it. Skenes threw 35 pitches during a five-run Phillies second inning, highlighted by Trea Turner's three-run homer.

«I think we've got a good team,» Turner said. «I think sometimes there's no explanation, but I feel like we've got a good lineup and we battle. We know he's really good, and he's always going to give us a fight, and you kind of tip your cap when he gets you and move on and try to have the next guy pick you up. I thought we did a good job keeping it moving against him.»

In an anticipated duel of aces and a rematch between Skenes and Philadelphia's Zack Wheeler, played on a humid night with temperatures in the 90s, neither pitcher worked to his standard.

Skenes' first loss in this slide came at PNC Park on May 17 at the hands of Wheeler and the Phillies. In that game, he didn't allow a run until the fifth inning during a 6-0 loss.

On Wednesday night, the Phillies didn't wait that long.

Pirates third