Story perspectives

Pirates Suffer 10th Loss in 11 Games, Skenes Struggles

9/17/2025

Summary

Pirates Suffer Defeat

On September 16, 2025, the Pittsburgh Pirates lost 4-1 to the Chicago Cubs, marking their 10th loss in 11 games.
Star pitcher Paul Skenes allowed two runs in the first inning for the first time in his career and pitched only 3.2 innings.
Skenes gave up three runs on seven hits and three walks, while recording six strikeouts.
The Pirates' offense faltered, missing key opportunities in the third inning.
Cubs' Michael Busch stood out with three hits, including a home run and two doubles.

Summary

Skenes Shines Brightly

Paul Skenes, the Pirates' ace, is nominated for the 2025 Roberto Clemente Award for his community contributions, particularly for military causes.
He leads the league with 203 strikeouts and boasts a National League-best ERA+ of 225, highlighting his outstanding performance this season.
Despite his success, the Pirates are 20 games under .500 and need to enhance their offense.
Skenes will face the Cubs again on September 16, his final home start of the season.

History

Historical Context

The Pittsburgh Pirates won the World Series in 1971, with Roberto Clemente earning a .341 batting average and the MVP title. This success followed decades of competitive play at Forbes Field, which opened in 1909 and hosted the Pirates until 1970. Today, the team struggles, highlighted by Paul Skenes' 203 strikeouts, reflecting a significant decline from their historical achievements.

1 of 3

Pirates Suffer Defeat

On September 16, 2025, the Pittsburgh Pirates lost 4-1 to the Chicago Cubs, marking their 10th loss in 11 games.
Star pitcher Paul Skenes allowed two runs in the first inning for the first time in his career and pitched only 3.2 innings.
Skenes gave up three runs on seven hits and three walks, while recording six strikeouts.
The Pirates' offense faltered, missing key opportunities in the third inning.
Cubs' Michael Busch stood out with three hits, including a home run and two doubles.

1 / 3