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5h ago

Skenes Pulled After 65 Pitches as Marlins Beat Pirates 2-0

The early exit with a roughly two-mile-per-hour drop in his fastball velocity raises concerns about fatigue, control, the Pirates’ playoff chances.

Aug 11, 2026; Miami, Florida, USA; Pittsburgh Pirates pitcher Paul Skenes (30) throws against the Miami Marlins during the first inning at loanDepot Park. Mandatory Credit: Rhona Wise-Imagn Images
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Overview

  • Tuesday night at loanDepot Park Paul Skenes lasted five innings and 65 pitches in a 2-0 loss to the Marlins, giving up two runs including a solo homer to Esteury Ruiz.
  • Statcast and pitch-tracking reports show Skenes’ average fastball has fallen from about 98.2 mph last season to roughly 96.8–96.9 mph this year and he did not reach 97 mph in the recent start.
  • Command has worsened alongside the velo drop as Skenes’ walk rate climbed to about 6.8 percent this season from roughly 5.7–6.2 percent in prior years, contributing to shorter outings and higher run exposure.
  • Manager Don Kelly said the league has “adjusted back” and stressed that Skenes must fix command rather than just chase velocity, a view echoed by analysts who point to mechanical and workload possibilities.
  • The Pirates sit under .500 and need timely improvements from their ace for any late-season push, so the club, analysts and fans are watching for changes in usage, conditioning or an on‑field adjustment as the next steps.