Paul Skenes struck out eight in five innings, Aroldis Chapman threw the fastest pitch in the majors this season, and the Pittsburgh Pirates beat Shohei Ohtani and the Los Angeles Dodgers 10-6 on Wednesday night.
Skenes (3-0) allowed three runs on six hits, including Ohtani’s two-run shot in the third inning. The 22-year-old rookie also struck out the Los Angeles superstar in the first inning on a 100 mph fastball, one of 28 pitches thrown by Skennes and Chapman that reached triple digits.
Paul Skenes struck out Dodgers Mookie Betts and Shohei Ohtani to start the day for the Pirates.
Chapman threw five pitches faster than 103 mph during the seventh inning, including a 104 mph heater to Teoscar Hernández, who fouled Hernández.
Nick Gonzales tied a career high with four RBI for the Pirates. Edward Olivares and Ke’Bryan Hayes had two hits for Pittsburgh and held on late after taking advantage of a big second inning against James Paxton (5-1) to take the lead. .
Ohtani had two hits for the Dodgers. Andy Pages hit his sixth home run of the season and Jason Hayward doubled three times, but Los Angeles lost for the 10th time in its last 15 games against Pittsburgh.
Paxton finished the second inning without allowing a run in the shortest start of the season. The Pirates touched him for seven runs (six earned) in a frame highlighted by two-run hits by Gonzales and Bryan Reynolds. Paxton lasted only 1 2/3 innings and his ERA jumped from 3.29 to 4.19.
Skennes, a 22-year-old rookie, put up a shooting performance against the mighty Dodgers. He struck out Mookie Betts and Ohtani to start the game, but Los Angeles eventually settled down and put steady pressure on the 6-foot-6 right-hander. Ohtani hit his 15th home run of the year by throwing a 100 mph fastball over the center field fence and into the Los Angeles bullpen.
Shohei Ohtani hit a two-run home run off Paul Skennes to help the Dodgers cut their lead against the Pirates.
(Want great stories delivered straight to your inbox? Create or log in to a FOX Sports account and follow leagues, teams and players to receive personalized newsletters every day..)
Even after getting out to an early lead, Skenes needed 91 pitches to get past five innings. He showed some growth in the 5th inning. Page homered and Los Angeles loaded the bases with two outs. Skenes stayed in and gave up a grounder to third when Hernandez ended the threat and escaped with a 7-3 lead.
The teams traded scores in the second half. Los Angeles’ last best shot came in the eighth inning when Ohtani came to the plate and faced Colin Holderman with two on and two outs. Ohtani flew to the right side warning track to end the inning.
The Associated Press reported.
Get more from Major League Baseball Follow your favorites to stay informed about games, news, and more.