PITTSBURGH — The era of Paul Skenes is about to start in Pittsburgh.
The Pirates will have their top pick from last year’s draft make his first major league appearance on Saturday against the Cubs, according to a person who knows about the decision.
The Pirates have not officially announced the promotion, but a person familiar with the decision said so anonymously to The Associated Press. However, the club did release a hype video of Skenes with “5.11.24.”
The 21-year-old, who was the first pick last summer after performing exceptionally at LSU, has been very successful at Triple-A Indianapolis. Skenes, whose fastball often reaches speeds of over 100 miles per hour, has a 0-0 record with a 0.99 ERA in seven Triple-A starts, achieving 45 strikeouts in 27 1/3 innings.
He is considered one of the top prospects in baseball and has gained significant attention as a baseball rookie, partly due to his relationship with LSU gymnast and social media influencer Livvy Dunne.
During the spring, the Pirates have been gradually increasing Skenesh's pitch count at Triple-A. Recently, they have allowed him to throw more pitches, with 75 pitches on April 30 and 66 on a game against Buffalo.
Pittsburgh has been struggling recently after a strong start. They have won only 6 of their last 22 games after losing to the Los Angeles Angels 5-4 on Wednesday.
Jo Adell hit his fifth home run of the season and also had an RBI single for the Angels.
Brandon Drury got two hits, including an RBI double during a three-run surge in the sixth by Los Angeles. This victory helped the Angels win their first series in over a month by taking two of three from the Pirates.
BLUE JAYS 5, PHILLIES 3
PHILADELPHIA — Chris Bassitt pitched well and struck out six over 6 2/3 innings, and Vladimir Guerrero Jr. had three hits and an RBI to lead Toronto to a win that ended Philadelphia’s 11-game winning streak at home.
Jordan Romano gave up an RBI single to Bryson Stott in the ninth but managed to retire Whit Merrifield on a foul pop with two runners on base for his fifth save.
The Phillies ended their seven-game winning streak and missed the chance for a franchise-record 12 consecutive victories at Citizens Bank Park, which opened in 2004.
DODGERS 3, MARLINS 1
LOS ANGELES — Teoscar Hernández hit a two-run homer in the sixth, Gavin Stone continued the run of solid Dodgers’ starts, and Los Angeles defeated Miami to achieve its sixth straight win and end an undefeated homestand.
Freddie Freeman hit a two-out double off the right field wall before Hernández hit a full-count changeup from Ryan Weathers (2-4) just over the left center wall and beyond the reach of Miami left fielder Nick Gordon.
WHITE SOX 4, RAYS 1
ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — Chris Flexen pitched well for six innings, Paul DeJong homered again, and Chicago avoided a seventh sweep this season by beating Tampa Bay.
The White Sox, who are the worst in the American League with a 9-28 record, won the season series 4-2.
PADRES 3, CUBS 0
CHICAGO — Dylan Cease struck out 12 and teamed up with two relievers to allow only one hit, leading San Diego to a win against Chicago.
Cease pitched for seven innings in a successful return to Chicago after the White Sox traded him to San Diego in March. He gave up the Cubs’ only hit when Yan Gomes reached base on a slow roller towards the second baseman in the third. Cease walked two and hit a batter while matching his career high with 113 pitches.
ROYALS 6, BREWERS 4
KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Bobby Witt Jr. hit a home run and scored three times to lead Kansas City over Milwaukee.
Both starting pitchers had a rough start but then settled down and minimized the damage. The Royals’ Brady Singer allowed one run on five hits in 5 1/3 innings. He walked two and struck out four. Joe Ross allowed three runs on three hits in five-plus innings, walking two and striking out two.
GUARDIANS 5, TIGERS 4
CLEVELAND — Brayan Rocchio singled home automatic runner Ramón Laureano with one out in the 10th inning, giving Cleveland a victory over Detroit.
Cleveland forced extra innings with David Fry’s solo homer in the ninth against Andrew Chafin, then completed its comeback when Rocchio sharply hit a pitch from closer Alex Lange into center field.
ATHLETICS 9, RANGERS 4
OAKLAND, Calif. — Shea Langeliers hit a two-run homer on his way to a career-high five RBIs, and Oakland beat Texas in the first game of a doubleheader.
Brett Harris hit a go-ahead homer in the fifth and Brent Rooker added a three-run drive in the seventh for the A’s
