Pirates Ace Paul Skenes Knocked Out After One Inning on Opening Day Disaster vs. Mets
The Pittsburgh Pirates' opening day hopes collapsed after ace Paul Skenes was pulled from his first start following a disastrous performance, allowing just two-thirds of an inning against the New York Mets on Thursday. Coming off back-to-back Cy Young Award seasons and leading Team USA to victory in World Baseball Classic 2025 with only one earned run allowed across four games this year for Skenes was expected as Pittsburgh's most valuable asset but he surrendered five runs, including all of them being unearned after the Pirates scored two early.
Key Points
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1The Pittsburgh Pirates' ace Paul Skenes, a reigning NL Cy Young Award winner (2025), was pulled after just two-thirds of an inning on Opening Day.
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2Skenes surrendered five earned runs and allowed four hits to the New York Mets in his debut start against them at Citi Field.
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3The early collapse involved significant defensive errors by Pirates centerfielder Oneil Cruz, leading fans away from their initial optimism about Skenes' performance.
Developments
Paul Skenes threw just two outs on 37 pitches after a disastrous first inning against New York due in part by poor defensive plays from Oneil Cruz. The Pirates subsequently lost their opening game of 2026, and the loss has raised concerns about whether to trade or retain the young pitcher as he enters his final year before free agency next winter.
The New York Mets defeated their Opening Day opponent, 1-0 on Thursday afternoon at Citi Field. The Pirates' Paul Skenes lasted only two innings before being pulled after allowing five runs in the first inning alone and a total of six outs over his career debut start against them
Pittsburgh Pirates' Paul Skenes gave up five runs, four hits, two walks, a hit batter walk-off home run attempt (grazing), and an RBI double due to defensive errors by Oneil Cruz during his opening-day start. The 23-year-old right-hander was pulled after throwing only three pitches in the first inning before being replaced for six innings against New York Mets on April 8, 2025.
Pittsburgh Pirates pitcher Paul Skenes allowed five earned runs and two outs on Opening Day, resulting in a season ERA of 67.50 after previously holding the league record with under three; this poor performance was significantly exacerbated by outfielder Oneil Cruz's multiple defensive errors that contributed to four Mets' scoring opportunities against him during his first inning at Citi Field while he had one out and two outs on base loaded, allowing a run through an error.