Current:Home > InvestPaul Skenes blew away Shohei Ohtani in their first meeting. The two-time MVP got revenge. -WealthRoots Academy
Paul Skenes blew away Shohei Ohtani in their first meeting. The two-time MVP got revenge.
TradeEdge View
Date:2025-04-10 10:58:20
Paul Skenes and Shohei Ohtani exchanged greetings on the baseball field in a manner befitting the hardest-throwing phenom and the greatest two-way talent in the game.
Skenes, the Pittsburgh Pirates rookie making his fifth career start, blew away Ohtani on three pitches — 101.3, 100.1 and 100.8 mph — that the Los Angeles Dodgers star swung and whiffed at in their first encounter Wednesday night at PNC Park.
But the two-time MVP didn't need more than two tries to welcome Skenes to the big leagues.
Ohtani turned around a 100-mph fastball in the third inning, sending it 415 feet and over the fence in straightaway center field for his 15th home run, showing the rookie that it's not so easy to slip pure heat by the Dodgers DH.
Yet it's one of a precious few mistakes Skenes made in Wednesday's 10-6 triumph, as he picked up his third win in five outings, striking out eight Dodgers in five innings.
Follow every MLB game: Latest MLB scores, stats, schedules and standings.
Oh, Ohtani got him again, singling to right in the fifth to put two runners on in a 7-3 game. But Ohtani's single was sandwiched by Skenes punchouts against the other MVPs in L.A.'s lineup. He caught Mookie Betts looking on a full-count 100-mph fastball on the outside corner, and Freddie Freeman on a 0-2 fastball that dotted the bottom of the zone at 99 mph.
After a Will Smith single loaded the bases, Skenes induced a groundout from Teoscar Hernandez and exited with a 7-3 lead. The Pirates went on to claim their second consecutive win over the NL West-leading Dodgers.
Skenes is still less than a year removed from the Pirates selecting him No. 1 overall from LSU, yet his resume remains nearly spotless. He has 38 strikeouts in 27 innings pitched and a 3.00 ERA, and the Pirates are 4-1 in his starts. He walked just one on Wednesday, bringing his strikeout-to-walk ratio to 38-to-6.
Now, add another bullet point to that list: A split decision against the game's greatest talent.
veryGood! (183)
Related
- Senate begins final push to expand Social Security benefits for millions of people
- Reese Witherspoon Cries “Tears of Joy” After “Incredible” Niece Abby’s High School Graduation
- Longtime umpire Ángel Hernández retires. He unsuccessfully sued MLB for racial discrimination
- The Daily Money: Americans bailing on big cities
- 'Vanderpump Rules' star DJ James Kennedy arrested on domestic violence charges
- Shannen Doherty recalls how Michael Landon and 'Little House on the Prairie' shaped her: 'I adored him'
- Bear put down after it entered a cabin and attacked a 15-year-old boy in Arizona
- Libertarians choose Chase Oliver as presidential nominee, rejecting Trump, RFK Jr.
- Man can't find second winning lottery ticket, sues over $394 million jackpot, lawsuit says
- Stars' Jason Robertson breaks slump with Game 3 hat trick in win against Oilers
Ranking
- Have Dry, Sensitive Skin? You Need To Add These Gentle Skincare Products to Your Routine
- Much-maligned umpire Ángel Hernández to retire from Major League Baseball
- AJ McLean Reveals Taylor Swift’s Sweet Encounter With His Daughter
- Kourtney Kardashian Shares She Experienced 5 Failed IVF Cycles and 3 Retrievals Before Having Son Rocky
- Whoopi Goldberg is delightfully vile as Miss Hannigan in ‘Annie’ stage return
- Mike Tyson Shares Update on Health After Suffering Medical Emergency During Flight
- House Democrats expected to vote on $53.1B budget as Republicans complains of overspending
- 2 new giant pandas are returning to Washington’s National Zoo from China by the end of the year
Recommendation
Off the Grid: Sally breaks down USA TODAY's daily crossword puzzle, Hi Hi!
Cohen’s credibility, campaigning at court and other takeaways from Trump trial’s closing arguments
American arrested in Turks and Caicos over 9 mm ammo found in bag sentenced to time served and $9,000 fine
22 are dead across the US after weekend tornadoes. More storms may be in store
Trump suggestion that Egypt, Jordan absorb Palestinians from Gaza draws rejections, confusion
Burger King week of deals begins Tuesday: Get discounts on burgers, chicken, more menu items
Heather Dubrow Reveals Husband Terry Dubrow's New Mounjaro-Inspired Career Move
Texas’ first-ever statewide flood plan estimates 5 million live or work in flood-prone areas