PAUL Skenes struck out seven over four-plus innings in his highly anticipated major league debut and the Pittsburgh Pirates hit five home runs in a 10-9 victory over the visiting Chicago Cubs on Saturday (Sunday in Manila).
Skenes threw 17 pitches of 100 mph or more and gave up three runs on six hits and two walks while throwing 84 pitches in all. He was staked to a 6-1 lead before Chicago drew six bases-loaded walks off three Pirates relievers during a wild fifth inning that was interrupted by a rain delay of over two hours.
Connor Joe, Oneil Cruz, Michael A. Taylor, Yasmani Grandal and Andrew McCutchen homered for Pittsburgh, which set a season high for runs and snapped a three-game skid.
Nico Hoerner homered for the Cubs, who went 4-for-13 with runners in scoring position.
In other games, it was the Braves 4, Mets 1; Orioles 5, Diamondbacks 4 (11 innings); Blue Jays 10, Twins 8; Red Sox 4, Nationals 2; Phillies 8, Marlins 3; Rays 7, Yankees 2; Tigers 8, Astros 2; White Sox 3, Guardians 1; Brewers 5, Cardinals 3; Giants 5, Reds 1; Rockies 8, Rangers 3; Dodgers 5, Padres 0; Angels 9, Royals 3; and Athletics 8, Mariners 1.
