With two perfect innings in his Yankee Stadium debut, Paul Skenes impressed when the Pittsburgh Pirates won 9–4 on Saturday thanks to five home runs from the team.
After Cleveland (92-69) fell to Houston, New York (93-68) won and guaranteed home-field advantage for the American League playoffs. The tiebreaker was awarded to the Yankees as they had also defeated the Guardians in the season series. Within four innings, rookie Luis Gil (15-7) allowed solo home runs to Yasmani Grandal and Nick Gonzales. Billy Cook, a rookie, launched a two-run home run in the fifth inning, and Jared Triolo followed suit in the sixth. In the ninth inning against Will Warren, Nick Yorke concluded with a two-run home run.
New York has struggled recently, losing four out of their last five games, and will start the AL Division Series at home on October 5. Aaron Judge followed his third game off this season with his third five-strikeout game, the first since May 5, 2021. With 46,069 spectators in attendance—New York’s 17th home sellout—Skenes tossed 23 pitches to six hitters. On four pitches, including three against Juan Soto and Aaron Judge, he reached above 100 mph.
Derek Shelton, manager of the Pirates, remarked, “He was outstanding.” “We anticipated a shorter start. He pitched brilliantly against the first six hitters, and this lineup is incredibly challenging. Watching from the stands with his girlfriend, LSU gymnast Livvy Dunne, Skenes hit Soto with a 99.8 mph fastball on the outer corner. Judge struck at an outside sweeper, missing.
The 22-year-old right-hander, who was a strong contender for National League Rookie of the Year, concluded the season with an 11-3 record, a 1.96 ERA in 23 starts, and 133 innings pitched—29 innings short of earning the National League ERA crown. 32 walks and 170 strikeouts were recorded by him.
Skenes remarked, “It was cool, definitely glad to be able to finish the season.” “It’s cool to do it against this lineup and here.”
According to STATS, Skenes is the only rookie pitcher since Scott Perry of the 1918 Philadelphia Athletics to have a season with an ERA of less than 2.00 and at least 23 starts.Austin Wells, catcher for the Yankees, stated, “I wish I saw some more pitches.” “I really only saw that he got six outs and looked good out there.”
Gil finished with a 3.50 ERA after giving up six runs and six hits in 5 2/3 innings. Just 14 home runs had been allowed by him in his first 28 outings.
“He’s had an amazing year,” Wells remarked. “He’s been amazing as a rookie starting pitcher for the Yankees and putting up those numbers.”
Gonzales, whose bat fell on a practice swing in the on-deck circle, knocked a home run for the second straight game. Yorke launched his second career home run off the foul pole in left field.
“The guy who started for them is a special young arm and special pitcher who is most likely going to win the American League Rookie of the Year award.” I was extremely pleased of our guys because we were able to grind it out and had excellent at-bats,” Shelton remarked.
In the fifth inning, Jazz Chisholm Jr. ended Pittsburgh’s no-hit bid with his 11th home run since being acquired from the Marlins on July 27. In the ninth, he added a double with RBI. Soto concluded the seventh inning by racing over second base despite hitting an RBI single.
Following Skenes, Mike Burrows (1-0), who underwent Tommy John surgery on April 26, 2023, tossed 68 pitches over 3 1/3 innings to win in his big league debut. In the sixth, David Bednar walked Chisholm, leaving the bases loaded. Aroldis Chapman, a former Yankee, retired Wells with the bases loaded after striking out Judge, marking his 14th save out of 19 opportunities.
