Skenes tosses seven no-hit innings before Pirates bullpen loses no-hit bid

MILWAUKEE (AP) — Pittsburgh Pirates rookie right-hander Paul Skenes allowed no hits through seven innings against the Milwaukee Brewers on Thursday but left-hander Colin Holderman started the eighth and gave up a single to the first batter, Jake Bauers.

Skenes, a 22-year-old All-Star who was making his 11th start, threw 99 pitches. He has struck out 11 batters and walked one.

Skenes (5-0) put two runners on base with two outs in the second inning, hitting one batter and walking another. Andruw Monasterio stayed alive for eight pitches, but struck out.

No other Brewer has reached base.

The Pirates led 1-0 when Skenes was replaced.

In the third inning, William Contreras hit a foul ball into the second deck that just missed the left field foul pole. He pushed Skenes to 10 pitches before striking out.

In the seventh inning, second baseman Nick Gonzales chased down a 236-foot popup from Willy Adames, narrowly missing a collision with center fielder Jack Suwinski. Skenes threw six pitches in the seventh.

Skenes didn’t touch 100 mph until his 23rd pitch, which struck out Adames looking in the second inning. He entered the game with 78 strikeouts in 59⅓ innings, having thrown 74 pitches of 100 mph or more.

Skenes allowed no hits in six innings in his second start on May 17 at the Cubs.

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