Pirates' Skenes Flops in Opening Day Start

0:00On March 26, Paul Schienz, the Pittsburgh Pirates' top pitcher, and last year's National League Sai Young winner, had the shortest and roughest outing of his career on opening day. Facing the meds, he allowed five runs while recording just two outs in the first inning, then got pulled after 37 pitches. The Pirates fell 11-7 in a game that got away early. The trouble started with a lead-off walk to Francisco Lindor, followed by hits and full bases. Underfielder O'Neill Cruz misplayed two deep balls, letting three runs score on one, and losing another in the sun. Schienz mixed fewer breaking pitches than usual, relying mostly on his fastball, sinker, and change-up. Pirates fans hoped for better after a big offseason push. The team spent $50 million on free agents. Their largest amount ever, and traded for second baseman Brandon Lowe. He delivered right away, going two for four with two home runs, including one that gave Pittsburgh an early two-run lead.

1:00Schienz brushed it off afterward, saying there wasn't much hard contact, and chalking up some damage to unlucky bounces, and a high batting average on, balls in play. His manager agreed it was just one bad day for the young Ace. With Schienz under team control for four more years, and around 120 starts ahead, Pittsburgh is banking on him to lead a turnaround. Early stumbles like this one test they resolve, but the long season offers plenty of chances to rebound. That's your update from MLB News Today, powered by AI.