This story was originally published by Dead Spin
The Pittsburgh Pirates got six effective innings from Paul Skenes and scored five unanswered runs to help them snap a 10-game skid with a 5-3 win against the visiting Seattle Mariners on Friday.
Skenes (7-2) allowed two runs on three hits, struck out six and walked four to earn his first win since July 11. Pirates reliever David Bednar gave up a leadoff home run to Jorge Polanco in the ninth inning, one of two hits he allowed before punching out the next three for the save.
The Mariners have lost four straight.
The Pirates scored five straight after Seattle went up 2-0. Bryan Reynolds drew a leadoff walk in the fourth and advanced to second on Oneil Cruz’s groundout. Isiah Kiner-Falefa, who went 2-for-4, drove him in when he knocked a double to left field.
In the fifth, Yasmani Grandal sent a first-pitch fastball into the right-center field seats to tie the game at 2. Michael A. Taylor followed with a single, stole second and went to third on a throwing error by catcher Cal Raleigh that deflected into the outfield. Taylor then put Pittsburgh ahead 3-2 on a sacrifice fly from Andrew McCutchen.
Pittsburgh padded its advantage in the seventh. Taylor drew a one-out walk, spelling the end of the outing for Mariners starter Logan Gilbert (7-9). The righty finished with four runs allowed (three earned) on five hits with six strikeouts.
In came Austin Voth, who lasted a third of the inning before being pulled. McCutchen singled and was replaced by pinch runner Ji Hwan Bae after sustaining left knee discomfort running to first. Cruz then doubled with a line drive to center to bring in Taylor and Bae and put the Pirates ahead 5-2.
Cruz exited the game on the play, appearing to injure his ankle as he tried to round second. Per the Pirates, Cruz is dealing with left ankle discomfort.
Seattle went ahead 2-0 in the fourth. Jorge Polanco walked to open the frame and Luke Raley followed, belted a two-run shot 412 feet to right-center.
The Mariners had their chances early to get on the board with a pair of baserunners in each of the first two innings but couldn’t capitalize, stranding two in scoring position.
–Field Level Media
