Full Breakdown
Blue Jays Outduel Cy Young Winner Paul Skenes, 5-2 Victory
5/24/2026, 1:39:28 PM
Game Overview
On Saturday, May 23, 2025, the Toronto Blue Jays beat the Pittsburgh Pirates 5–2 at Rogers Centre. Left-hander Patrick Corbin (1-1, 4.23 ERA) threw six innings with seven strikeouts. Pirates ace Paul Skenes (6-4, 3.00 ERA) lasted 5 2/3 innings, surrendered a career-high nine hits and four earned runs.
Recent Dominance and Game Context
Before this start, Skenes had never allowed more than seven hits in any of his first 65 starts and entered the season with sub-2.00 ERAs and a 0.71 WHIP. He previously faced Toronto on Aug. 18, 2025, allowing five hits and two runs over six innings.
Key Performers
- Paul Skenes – 2 K, nine hits allowed
- Patrick Corbin – 7 K, one run
- George Springer – leadoff homer and a double
- Jesús Sánchez – two-hit, two-double RBI
- Yohendrick Piñango – double and single
- Don Kelly – Pirates manager, ejected in the sixth
Statistics
- Skenes: 5 2/3 IP, 9 H, 4 ER, 2 K, 1 BB, 98 pitches (62 strikes)
- Corbin: 6 IP, 5 H, 1 ER, 7 K, 0 BB, 69 pitches (13 whiffs)
- Team records after game: Pirates 26-26, Blue Jays 25-27
- ERA discrepancy: post-game ERA listed as 3.00 (source 6) and 3.86 (source 17)
Official Statements & Responses
Pirates manager Don Kelly described the loss as tough and questioned the umpire’s decision on Sánchez’s check-swing. Blue Jays manager John Schneider highlighted Springer’s disciplined approach, noting the hitter finally connected after two misses. Skenes said the Blue Jays performed well and that he needed to improve pitch execution.
Criticism & Opposition
In the sixth, Kelly and pitching coach Bill Murphy were ejected by home-plate umpire Alan Porter after disputes over an ABS challenge and a check-swing call. Analysts noted Skenes’ limited command, with only two strikeouts and a pitch count that rose to 81 by the end of the fifth.
On-the-Ground Report
Springer’s leadoff homer opened the scoring. Sánchez’s RBI double and Piñango’s double accounted for two-thirds of the nine hits Skenes allowed. The Pirates tied the game in the sixth on an Ozuna RBI double, but the Jays reclaimed the lead with a Sánchez double and a Heineman solo homer in the seventh.
Conflicting Reports & Gaps
Sources list Skenes’ post-game ERA as both 3.00 and 3.86, and his pre-game season ERA as 2.06 or 2.62. No source provides a definitive post-game WHIP, leaving a statistical gap.
Verbatim Quotes
- “Tough loss with Paul on the mound,” — Don Kelly, Pirates manager
- “(The Blue Jays) did a good job today. Watching a couple of the pitches, just kind of got to tip your cap,” — Paul Skenes, Pirates ace
- “He’s trending in the right direction, man.” — John Schneider, Blue Jays manager
- “That’s an unbelievable at-bat, an unbelievable at-bat against an unbelievable guy, obviously,” — Patrick Corbin, Blue Jays pitcher
What’s Next
The Pirates will start right-hander Mitch Keller (4-2, 3.86 ERA) Sunday, while the Blue Jays will counter with left-hander Dylan Cease (3-2, 2.98 ERA) in the series finale.
