Full Breakdown
Paul Skenes' Near-No-Hitter Extends Historic Dominance for Pirates
5/13/2026, 9:08:37 AM
Near-No-Hitter vs. Rockies Highlights Skenes' Dominance
On Tuesday, May 12, 2026, Pirates right-hander Paul Skenes faced the Colorado Rockies at PNC Park. He worked eight innings, allowing two hits, no runs and no walks while striking out ten batters on 98 pitches. Skenes carried a no-hit bid into the seventh before Mickey Moniak singled with one out. He also hit Troy Johnston with a pitch and retired the first 14 Rockies batters, including a strikeout of the first six hitters. The crowd briefly chanted “We want Paul! We want Paul!” as reliever Gregory Soto entered for the ninth.
Background: Cy Young Winner and Early Career
At 23, Skenes entered the season as the reigning National League Cy Young Award winner. He holds a 6-2 record and, after his first 64 starts, maintains a career ERA under 2.00—a rarity among major-league hurlers. He is the only Pirates pitcher since 1961 to strike out the side at least three times in a single game, accomplishing the feat in the first, second and sixth innings against Colorado. His walk-free streak places him roughly halfway to the National League record of 72 1/3 innings set by Greg Maddux in 2001.
Statistical Overview of Skenes' Recent Stretch
Skenes’ line lowered his season ERA to 1.98, matching his career mark of 1.97 and keeping his career ERA under 2.00 after his first 64 starts. In his last five starts he logged 32 innings, a 0.84 ERA, 38 strikeouts and no walks. The outing extended his walk-free streak to 35 consecutive innings (123 batters) since his April 13 walk to James Wood of Washington Nationals. He has not allowed a run in 16 straight innings. His WHIP is 0.64; opponents hit .145. Over 50 innings he holds a 56:7 K-BB ratio. The MLB record for consecutive innings without a walk is 84 1/3 by Bill Fischer (1962); the NL record is 72 1/3 by Greg Maddux (2001).
Impact on Pirates' Playoff Position
The victory moved Pittsburgh to 23-19, keeping the club in fourth place in the NL Central and within one game of the third wild-card spot. Skenes’ ability to limit opponent scoring with walk-free outings has been a central factor in the Pirates’ competitive position in a tightly contested senior circuit.
Conflicting Reports & Gaps
Sources disagree on the final score. The Associated Press, CBS Sports and Audacy report a 3-1 win for Pittsburgh, while a CBS Sports fantasy article describes the contest as a 3-0 victory. No box score is provided to resolve the discrepancy. Additionally, the available reports contain no direct quotations from Skenes, the Pirates’ coaching staff, or league officials, limiting insight into official reactions.
What's Next for the Pirates and Skenes
The Pirates will host the Rockies again on Wednesday night at 6:40 p.m., with Mitch Keller (4-1, 2.87 ERA) slated to start against former Pirate left-hander José Quintana (1-2, 3.90 ERA). Skenes is scheduled to face the Philadelphia Phillies at home on Sunday, continuing his role as the staff’s ace.
