MILWAUKEE — Paul Skanes turned in another dominant performance, striking out 11 in seven no-hit innings and the Pittsburgh Pirates beat the Milwaukee Brewers 1-0 on Thursday.
Skeens threw 99 pitches in his 11th Major League start, 65 of them for strikes. The All-Star right-hander drew one walk, while lowering his ERA to 1.90.
“It’s just about going out there and executing it,” Skenes said. “So, if that’s what a strikeout feels like, then so be it. It’s just about getting the out.”
Collin Holderman replaced Skeens (6-0) and gave up 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 by striking out William Contreras.
Aroldis Chapman picked up his fourth save in the ninth to complete a two-hitter for Pittsburgh.
Skeens, the No. 1 overall pick in last year’s draft out of LSU, had 11 strikeouts and pitched six no-hit innings in his second start for Pittsburgh, a loss to the Chicago Cubs on May 17. He has allowed two or fewer runs in nine of his 11 Major League starts.
“I don’t think anybody thinks when you get to the big leagues, it’s going to be like this,” Pittsburgh manager Derek Shelton said.
According to ESPN Stats & Information research, the Pirates’ last no-hitter came on July 12, 1997, in a combined effort against the Houston Astros.
Milwaukee wasted a brilliant performance from Aaron Civale (2-7), who threw six-hit ball into the seventh inning. The NL Central leader lost for the fifth time in seven games.
The Pirates scored their only run in the seventh when Ke’Bryan Hayes reached on a leadoff single but was forced out when Jack Suwinski grounded into a fielder’s choice.
Yasmani Grandal then doubled into the gap in right-center, and Suwinski scored with a headfirst slide into first.
After giving up a walk to Andrew McCutchen, Sewell was replaced by Brian Hudson. Hudson then got Bryan Reynolds to bounce into an inning-ending double play.
Milwaukee got its first base runner when Skeens hit Bauers with two out in the second. Garrett Mitchell then walked, but Andrew Monasterio struck out swinging for the final out.
In the third inning, Contreras hit a foul ball into the second deck that missed the left-side foul pole. He pushed Skeens for 10 pitches before striking out.
Skeens kept his composure and paused for a moment to tie his shoe after striking out Willy Adames for the second time in the fourth inning.
“Just get back to your process and then just focus on execution and getting guys out, getting pitches and as long as you do that, everything will take care of itself,” Skanes said. “So, just get back to your preparation.”
Skeens has struck out his last 16 batters, striking out eight. He has 89 strikeouts in 66⅓ innings.
“Players in the major leagues have velo, but being able to pitch and throw anything at any time, he keeps you off-balance,” Milwaukee slugger Christian Yelich said. “I actually thought we did a pretty good job against him today. I think we could have done a better job of getting him out of the game early. I think we saved him some at-bats at the end.”
Pittsburgh beat the Brewers 12-2 on Tuesday and lost 9-0 on Wednesday. Milwaukee had won nine consecutive home series.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
