July 21, 2025 – PNC Park, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
Game Overview
Paul Skenes delivered a masterful performance on Monday night at PNC Park, pitching six scoreless innings to lead the Pittsburgh Pirates to a crucial 3-0 victory over the Detroit Tigers. The win marked the Pirates’ first triumph of the second half of the season and ended their miserable three-game sweep at the hands of the Chicago White Sox.
In front of 19,379 fans at PNC Park, the 23-year-old phenom struck out six batters while allowing just three hits, earning his first victory since May 28 and posting his first quality start since June 19. The performance showcased why Skenes is considered one of baseball’s brightest young stars and demonstrated his ability to be the stopper the struggling Pirates desperately needed.
The Tigers entered the game with the best record in Major League Baseball at 60-41, making the Pirates’ dominant performance all the more impressive. Pittsburgh improved to 40-61 on the season with the victory, while Detroit fell to 60-42.
Pitching Performance: Complete Stats Breakdown
Pittsburgh Pirates Pitching
Paul Skenes (W, 5-8) – 6.0 IP, 3 H, 0 ER, 6 K, 1 BB, 1 HBP
The former number one overall pick was absolutely dominant in his longest outing in over a month. Skenes threw 86 pitches (55 strikes) and displayed exceptional command throughout his six-inning performance. His fastball shape was particularly effective, with Skenes noting after the game that it “might’ve been the best it’s been all year.”
Key statistics from Skenes’ outing:
- Pitch Count: 86 pitches, 55 strikes (64% strike rate)
- Ground Balls-Fly Balls: 5-7 ratio
- Batters Faced: 23
- Season ERA: Lowered to a major league-best 1.91
- Season Innings: 127.0 (5th most in MLB)
- Strikeout Rate: Maintained average of at least one strikeout per inning for seventh consecutive start
The performance was particularly significant given the workload management concerns surrounding the young ace. Skenes had been on a shortened pitch count in recent starts to manage his innings total, with most outings ending after just four or five innings. Monday’s six-inning performance represented a carefully planned ramp-up as the Pirates aim to have their ace available through September while not exceeding approximately 200 total innings for the season.
Braxton Ashcraft – 1.0 IP, 0 H, 0 ER, 0 K, 0 BB The right-hander provided a clean seventh inning in relief of Skenes. Ashcraft threw 13 pitches (8 strikes) and faced four batters, inducing two ground balls while maintaining the shutout.
Dennis Santana – 1.0 IP, 2 H, 0 ER, 0 K, 0 BB Santana navigated the eighth inning despite allowing two hits. He threw 21 pitches (17 strikes) and faced four batters, keeping the Tigers off the scoreboard with a ground ball-to-fly ball ratio of 1-0.
David Bednar (S, 14) – 1.0 IP, 0 H, 0 ER, 0 K, 0 BB The Pirates’ closer sealed the victory with a perfect ninth inning. Bednar threw just 9 pitches (8 strikes) to face four batters and recorded his 14th save of the season. His ground ball-to-fly ball ratio was 1-0 as he efficiently closed out the game.
Pirates Pitching Summary:
- Combined 9.0 IP, 5 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 6 K, 1 BB
- Team ERA for game: 0.00
- Total pitches: 129 (88 strikes, 68% strike rate)
Detroit Tigers Pitching
Jack Flaherty (L, 5-10) – 3.0 IP, 6 H, 3 ER, 6 K, 1 BB
The Tigers’ right-hander struggled with control and couldn’t escape the second inning without damage. Flaherty allowed all three Pittsburgh runs in the second frame, surrendering six hits overall before being removed after just three innings of work.
Flaherty statistics:
- Pitch Count: 78 pitches, 48 strikes (62% strike rate)
- Ground Balls-Fly Balls: 3-2 ratio
- Batters Faced: 18
- Season ERA: Rose to 4.77
- Season Record: Dropped to 5-10
The early exit was costly for Detroit’s bullpen, forcing the relievers to cover six innings in a game where the Tigers were never able to generate consistent offensive threats.
Devin Enns – 3.0 IP, 2 H, 0 ER, 0 K, 0 BB Enns provided solid middle relief work over three innings. He threw 34 pitches (23 strikes) with a ground ball-to-fly ball ratio of 2-0, facing 10 batters and keeping Pittsburgh from extending their lead.
Chesny Lee – 2.0 IP, 1 H, 0 ER, 0 K, 0 BB Lee contributed two innings of scoreless relief, throwing 16 pitches (11 strikes). He faced four batters with a ground ball-to-fly ball ratio of 0-2, continuing the strong work from Detroit’s bullpen.
Tommy Kahnle – 1.0 IP, 0 H, 0 ER, 0 K, 0 BB Kahnle finished the game for Detroit with a clean ninth inning. He threw 13 pitches (9 strikes) and faced three batters in his scoreless frame.
Tigers Pitching Summary:
- Combined 9.0 IP, 9 H, 3 R, 3 ER, 6 K, 1 BB
- Team ERA for game: 3.00
- Bullpen ERA for game: 0.00 (6.0 IP)
Offensive Performance: Complete Batting Stats
Pittsburgh Pirates Hitting
Spencer Horwitz – 1B: 3-for-4, 1 R, 1 RBI
The first baseman led the Pirates’ offensive charge with a three-hit performance. Horwitz delivered the game’s first run with an RBI single to right-center field in the second inning, driving home Ke’Bryan Hayes after the bases were loaded with two outs. His three hits tied for the game high and his 17th RBI of the season proved to be crucial in the low-scoring affair.
Bryan Reynolds – LF: 1-for-4, 2 RBI
Pittsburgh’s veteran left fielder came through in the clutch with a two-run single in the second inning that effectively decided the game. With the bases loaded and two outs, Reynolds delivered a single to right field that scored both Spencer Horwitz and Isiah Kiner-Falefa, extending his season RBI total to 48. The hit gave Skenes and the Pirates a comfortable 3-0 cushion that would stand as the final score.
Ke’Bryan Hayes – 3B: 1-for-3, 1 R
Hayes reached base with a single to right-center field and came around to score the game’s first run on Horwitz’s RBI single. His ability to get on base in the second inning helped set up the Pirates’ three-run rally.
Isiah Kiner-Falefa – SS: 1-for-3, 1 R
The shortstop contributed a hit and scored on Reynolds’ two-run single in the second inning. Kiner-Falefa was caught stealing once during the game but played solid defense at shortstop.
Henry Davis – C: 0-for-2, 1 BB
Davis drew a walk in the second inning that helped load the bases before Reynolds’ clutch hit. Though he went hitless, his patience at the plate contributed to the scoring rally.
Andrew McCutchen – DH: 1-for-4, CS
The Pirates legend recorded the 2,233rd hit of his career with a single in the fourth inning, moving past Hall of Famer Willie Stargell into 180th place on MLB’s all-time hits list. The milestone moment added to a memorable night for the home team, though McCutchen was caught stealing during the game.
Pirates Team Batting Statistics:
- Hits: 9
- Runs: 3
- RBIs: 3 (Horwitz 1, Reynolds 2)
- Errors: 0
- Left on Base: Multiple runners (specific count unavailable)
- Two-Out RBIs: 3 (all scoring came with two outs in second inning)
Detroit Tigers Hitting
The Tigers managed just five hits on the night and were completely shut out by the combination of Skenes and three Pittsburgh relievers. Detroit’s offense struggled to generate any momentum against the Pirates’ pitching staff.
Parker Meadows – CF: 1-for-4, 1 2B
Meadows collected one of Detroit’s five hits with a double to deep right field in the fourth inning. The extra-base hit represented Detroit’s best scoring opportunity, but the Tigers were unable to capitalize.
Matt Vierling – RF: 1-for-4
Vierling reached base with an infield single to shortstop in the fourth inning but was stranded when the Tigers couldn’t bring him home.
Colt Keith – 2B: 0-for-4
Keith went hitless in four at-bats, grounding out, reaching on a fielder’s choice, and failing to deliver in key situations for the Tigers.
Glebber Torres – SS: 0-for-4
Torres struggled at the plate, going 0-for-4 with multiple strikeouts. He left runners in scoring position on multiple occasions, contributing to Detroit’s offensive frustrations.
Riley Greene – LF: 0-for-3
One of Detroit’s top hitters was held in check by Skenes and the Pirates’ bullpen, going hitless in three at-bats with at least one strikeout.
Tigers Team Batting Statistics:
- Hits: 5
- Runs: 0
- RBIs: 0
- Errors: 0
- Left on Base: Multiple runners stranded in scoring position
- Strikeouts: 6
- Team Batting Average: .156 (5-for-32 estimated)
Game Flow and Critical Moments
First Inning: Scoreless Start
Both starting pitchers, Paul Skenes and Jack Flaherty, navigated clean first innings. Skenes struck out Riley Greene to end the top of the frame, while Flaherty retired the Pirates in order to keep the game scoreless.
Second Inning: Pirates Break Through
The Pirates’ offense came alive in the bottom of the second inning with a decisive three-run rally:
- Ke’Bryan Hayes led off with a single to right-center field
- Josiah Suwinski struck out looking for the first out
- Henry Davis drew a walk, putting runners at first and second
- Isiah Kiner-Falefa reached base (details of hit unavailable), loading the bases
- Spencer Horwitz delivered an RBI single to right-center, scoring Hayes to make it 1-0
- Andrew McCutchen struck out swinging for the second out
- Bryan Reynolds came through with a clutch two-run single to right field, scoring both Horwitz and Kiner-Falefa to extend the lead to 3-0
All three runs came with two outs, demonstrating the Pirates’ ability to capitalize in pressure situations. The rally chased Flaherty from the game after just three innings of work.
Middle Innings: Pitchers’ Duel
From the third through the eighth innings, both teams’ pitching staffs dominated. Skenes continued to mow down Tigers hitters, while Detroit’s bullpen of Enns and Lee kept the Pirates from adding to their lead. The game became a classic pitcher’s duel with Skenes firmly in control.
Fourth Inning: Tigers’ Best Chance
Detroit mounted their most serious scoring threat in the fourth inning when Parker Meadows led off with a double to deep right field. Matt Vierling followed with an infield single to shortstop, putting runners at first and third with nobody out. However, Skenes bore down and escaped the jam:
- Tyler Sweeney flied out to right field (Meadows held at third)
- Colt Keith reached on a fielder’s choice to first base with Meadows advancing to third but Vierling forced out at second
- Glebber Torres struck out swinging to end the threat
The escape showcased Skenes’ poise under pressure and his ability to elevate his performance in critical moments.
Ninth Inning: Bednar Slams the Door
David Bednar entered in the ninth inning to close out the victory. The veteran closer threw just nine pitches, needing only eight strikes to retire the Tigers in order and secure his 14th save of the season. The efficient ninth inning put an exclamation point on the Pirates’ dominant pitching performance.
Historical Context and Significance
Andrew McCutchen’s Milestone
The game featured a significant historical moment when Pirates designated hitter Andrew McCutchen recorded his 2,233rd career hit in the fourth inning. The single moved McCutchen past Pirates Hall of Famer Willie Stargell on MLB’s all-time hits list, placing him in 180th position. The milestone added to McCutchen’s already legendary status in Pittsburgh baseball history.
Paul Skenes’ Emergence as an Ace
At just 23 years old, Paul Skenes continues to establish himself as one of baseball’s premier young pitchers. His performance against the league-leading Tigers demonstrated several key points:
- Major League Best ERA: Skenes lowered his season ERA to 1.91, the best mark in all of baseball
- All-Star Distinction: Last week, Skenes became the first pitcher in history to start the All-Star Game in each of his first two years
- Innings Leadership: With 127 innings pitched, Skenes ranks fifth in MLB despite being a rookie last season
- Workload Management: The Pirates are carefully managing his innings to reach approximately 200 for the season, up from 160.1 innings (Majors and Minors combined) in 2024
Stopping the Bleeding
The victory was particularly important for Pittsburgh’s psyche after a devastating three-game sweep by the Chicago White Sox, baseball’s worst team. Pirates manager Don Kelly had talked before the game about needing Skenes to be the stopper, and the young ace delivered exactly that.
“He’s that ace, man, going out there and stopping the bleeding. Just dominant,” Kelly said after the game.
The win gave the Pirates their first victory of the second half and provided hope that they could turn around a frustrating 40-61 season.
Team Standings and Playoff Implications
Detroit Tigers (60-42)
Despite the loss, the Tigers maintained the best record in Major League Baseball entering Monday’s game. Detroit’s 60-42 mark puts them in strong position for a playoff berth, though the setback represented a rare stumble for one of baseball’s hottest teams. The Tigers’ pitching struggled early, but their bullpen of Enns, Lee, and Kahnle combined for six scoreless innings to keep the game close.
Pittsburgh Pirates (40-61)
The Pirates improved to 40-61 with the victory but remain well out of playoff contention. Pittsburgh sits in last place in the National League Central Division, 20 games behind division-leading teams. However, the emergence of Paul Skenes gives the franchise hope for the future and provides fans with a reason to watch during an otherwise disappointing season.
Manager and Player Reactions
Don Kelly (Pirates Manager) on Paul Skenes:
Manager Don Kelly emphasized Skenes’ importance to the team’s ability to rebound from adversity: “He’s that ace, man, going out there and stopping the bleeding. Just dominant.”
Kelly also discussed the ongoing workload management strategy for his young star:
“[It’s a] conversation with a lot more people than just myself. He’s at the top of the league in innings. Last year, he threw 160 [in the Minors and Majors combined] on the year, 133, I think it was in the big leagues. So just finding ways to manage that so that he can fulfill the full season through the end of September, but also keep it manageable [so] that we’re not completely blowing it out.”
Paul Skenes on His Performance:
Skenes discussed the planned ramp-up in his workload: “It’s a little bit of a ramp back up.”
Regarding his fastball command, Skenes noted: “It might’ve been the best it’s been all year.”
Game Information
Venue: PNC Park, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
Attendance: 19,379
Game Time: 2:26
Weather Conditions: Details not available
Umpiring Crew
- Home Plate Umpire: Mark Carlson
- First Base Umpire: Dan Merzel
- Second Base Umpire: Jordan Baker
- Third Base Umpire: Stu Scheurwater
Betting Information
- Moneyline: Pirates -131 (winning bet paid $231 on $131 wager)
- Run Line: Pirates -1.5 (covered)
- Over/Under: 7 runs (Under hit with only 3 total runs)
Looking Ahead: Series Continues
The Pirates and Tigers were scheduled to continue their series on Tuesday, July 22, 2025, with Detroit’s Casey Mize (9-3, 3.15 ERA) facing Pittsburgh’s Mitch Keller (3-10, 3.48 ERA). Mize was seeking his 10th victory of the season, which would represent the first time in his career reaching double-digit wins.
The series provided an intriguing matchup between baseball’s best team (Detroit) and a struggling Pirates squad looking to build momentum behind their young ace.
Key Statistical Takeaways
Pitching Dominance
- Paul Skenes’ Excellence: 6.0 scoreless innings, 6 strikeouts, MLB-best 1.91 ERA
- Bullpen Perfection: Pirates’ relievers (Ashcraft, Santana, Bednar) combined for 3.0 scoreless innings
- Detroit’s Bullpen Response: Tigers’ relievers pitched 6.0 scoreless innings after Flaherty’s early exit
Offensive Highlights
- Two-Out Production: All three Pirates runs scored with two outs in the second inning
- Spencer Horwitz: 3-for-4 performance led Pittsburgh’s nine-hit attack
- Bryan Reynolds: Game-deciding two-run single provided insurance
- Andrew McCutchen: Historic 2,233rd career hit moved him past Willie Stargell
Team Statistics
- Pirates Efficiency: 3 runs on 9 hits, 0 errors
- Tigers Struggles: 0 runs on 5 hits, failed to capitalize on scoring opportunities
- Pitching Battle: Combined 12 strikeouts, minimal walks (2 total)
Conclusion
The Pittsburgh Pirates’ 3-0 victory over the Detroit Tigers on July 21, 2025, showcased everything that makes Paul Skenes special and demonstrated the Pirates’ potential when their young ace is on the mound. Skenes’ six scoreless innings, combined with perfect relief pitching and timely hitting from Spencer Horwitz and Bryan Reynolds, provided Pittsburgh with a much-needed victory after a disastrous series against the White Sox.
For the Tigers, the loss represented a rare setback for baseball’s best team but highlighted the challenges of facing elite young pitching. Jack Flaherty’s struggles in the second inning proved costly, though Detroit’s bullpen responded admirably to keep the game within reach.
As the season progresses, the contrasting fortunes of these two teams remain clear: Detroit pushing for a playoff berth while Pittsburgh builds around emerging talent like Skenes. Monday night’s game demonstrated that on any given night, when an ace like Paul Skenes takes the mound, even the best teams in baseball can be shut down completely.
For more MLB coverage, player statistics, and game analysis, stay tuned for updates on the Pirates-Tigers series and all Major League Baseball action.
