Pirates ace Paul Skenes flirts with no-hitter in latest gem as his historically great stretch continues

May 13, 2026 - 03:14

Pittsburgh Pirates ace Paul Skenes came within striking distance of a no-hitter on Wednesday night, adding another chapter to what is quickly becoming one of the most dominant starts to a career in modern baseball history. The 23-year-old right-hander carried a no-hit bid into the seventh inning before allowing a single, finishing with 11 strikeouts over seven shutout frames.

Skenes now owns a sub-2.00 ERA through his first 64 major league starts, a feat that puts him in rarefied air alongside Hall of Famers and all-time greats. His ability to miss bats with a triple-digit fastball and a devastating splinker has made him nearly untouchable, and he continues to lower his career ERA with each outing.

The Pirates have leaned heavily on their young ace, and he has delivered consistently. Wednesday's start was the latest in a string of performances that have cemented his status as the National League's most dominant pitcher. Opponents are hitting well below .200 against him this season, and his strikeout-to-walk ratio remains elite.

While the no-hitter slipped away, Skenes showed the poise and stuff that have made him a Cy Young favorite. If he stays healthy, he is on pace to rewrite the record books for early-career excellence. The Pirates, still fighting for playoff positioning, know they have something special every fifth day.