Skenes' Rough Outing: Phenom Hits Rough Patch

0:00It's April 30th. Welcome to MLB News today, powered by AI and ready for first pitch. Paul Schienes, the reigning national league-side young winner, had a nightmare first inning against the Cardinals on Thursday at PNC Park. The 23-year-old pirates A served up a lead-off homer to rookie J.J. Weatherhold on a fastball right down the middle, then after an infield. Single. Jordan Walker crushed a two-run shot on a sweeper left high. Just like that, Pittsburgh trailed three-nothing after 29 pitches and three strikeouts. It marked only the second time Schienes allowed multiple homers in one inning, the first back on May first last year when he gave up three to the Cubs. Errors piled on two. A throwing miscue at third opened the door early, and another at shortstop in the third led to an unearned run. By the fifth, Weatherhold singled, moved up on a wild pitch, and scored on a hit from Alec Burleson. Fans watching saw Schienes battle through, fanning a season-high 9 without

1:00issuing a walk, but the damage was done with eight hits against him. Pittsburgh sat at 5-3 when they pulled him after five frames and 102 pitches, 68 for strikes. His ERA ticked up to 3.18. He mixed it up differently too, throwing changeups 27% of the time, way more than his usual 17% while dialing back the fastball to just 26% from 37. First multi-earned run outing since opening day when he allowed five. Schienes will shake this off quick, but his shows even phenoms hit rough patches against hot bats. Keep an eye on his next start.