Mike Tauchman

Saturday s Cubs-Pirates game went into a rain delay in the top of the fifth inning after a wild start to the inning. There is no set time to resume the game at this point. Rookie sensation Paul Skenes allowed a double from Mike Tauchman and an infield single to Seiya Suzuki. Kyle Nicholas came in for a relief appearance. He...

Pittsburgh Pirates phenom Paul Skenes makes his major-league debut Saturday against the Chicago Cubs. It's the most anticipated start for a rookie pitcher since Stephen Strasburg broke into the league in 2010. We'll keep you updated throughout his start. 5th InningThe end of the line came after Skenes started the fifth by giving up a double to Tauchman, and an infield single to Seiya Suzuki. Pirates manager Derek Shelton was booed as he walked to the mound, but those jeers quickly turned to cheers for Skenes as he strode to the dugout. Paul Skenes leaves his MLB debut to a standing ovation! pic.twitter.com/nSGK6WAa8J MLB (@MLB) May 11, 2024 His 84 pitches marked Skenes' highest pitch count as a professional. Skenes allowed six hits and two walks while striking out seven. Reliever Kyle Nicolas came on in relief and allowed two inherited runs to score. IP H R K BB 4 6 3 7 2 Most strikeouts, Pirates starter age 21 or younger, in their debut:11 - Nick Maddox, 19077 - Paul Skenes, today6 - John Candelaria, 19755 - Vernon Law, 1950(via @Stathead) Joe Block (@joe_block) May 11, 2024 4th InningThe Cubs finally got to Skenes in the fourth, when Nico Hoerner jumped on a slider and ripped it over the left-field wall for a solo home run. Skenes had given up just one homer in 27 1/3 innings at Triple-A this season. Nico Hoerner takes Paul Skenes deep! pic.twitter.com/ZHOZGr15OB Talkin Baseball (@TalkinBaseball_) May 11, 2024 He struck out three in the fourth, giving him seven strikeouts on the day. But the inning, which also included a Miles Mastrobuoni single, rose his pitch count to 74 - one off his 2024 high.3rd InningOnce again, Skenes allowed a runner to reach, and once again he came through unscathed. Morel ripped a two-out single, but was thrown out stealing to end the inning after a Pirates challenge. Watching Skenes reminds me of facing Strasburg after his call-up. I took a fastball in my first at-bat, looked up, and saw 100 on the board. I thought, Uh oh. The next pitch? The best curveball I d ever seen gulp. Same could be said about the changeup later. I was like, . Joey Votto (@JoeyVotto) May 11, 2024 Skenes' girlfriend, championship gymnast Olivia Dunne, wouldn't let her own nerves stop the joy of watching him pitch in the majors. Paul Skenes' girlfriend and LSU gymnastics champion Livvy Dunne talks about how it's more nerve-wracking watching him pitch than competing herself pic.twitter.com/cku2Aizw9T Talkin Baseball (@TalkinBaseball_) May 11, 2024 The Pirates gave their pitcher some support in the bottom of the third. First baseman Connor Joe opened the scoring with a three-run homer off Cubs starter Justin Steele, and shortstop Oneil Cruz followed with a solo shot to make it 4-0 Pirates. Oneil Cruz makes it back-to-back homers for the @Pirates! pic.twitter.com/uqrG6n2XwU MLB (@MLB) May 11, 2024 2nd InningSkenes got into his first bit of trouble in the majors, loading the bases on a hit-by-pitch, walk, and single with one out. But again he didn't break, recovering to strike out Yan Gomes and then strand the sacks full by getting Tauchman to ground out. However, he threw 24 pitches in the inning, running his count up to 40.1st InningSkenes wasted no time. He struck out leadoff hitter Mike Tauchman on a 101-mph fastball for his first big-league K, and hit 100 in five of the six pitches during the at-bat. The next hitter, Seiya Suzuki, went down on three pitches. Paul Skenes strikes out the first two hitters he faces in the Major Leagues. pic.twitter.com/qO0dYShvsv Foul Territory (@FoulTerritoryTV) May 11, 2024 After walking Cody Bellinger, Skenes escaped the first inning with no damage when Christopher Morel's 395-foot fly ball to dead center died at the warning track.It took less than a full inning for Skenes to put his name in the Pirates record book, throwing the hardest pitch - and five of the seven hardest - in franchise history since data started being tracked in 2008. lol(via pirates pr) pic.twitter.com/jSCfIFrP3D Stephen J. Nesbitt (@stephenjnesbitt) May 11, 2024 It's almost timeSkenes emerged from the dugout to huge cheers just before 3:30 p.m. Time to compete. pic.twitter.com/2EPb0TCl5o Pittsburgh Pirates (@Pirates) May 11, 2024 The anticipation at PNC Park has grown to a fever before Skenes even arrived in the bullpen, and the crowd was fixated on every one of his warm-up pitches. Join me and my (lack of) videography skills, as Paul Skenes gets loose. pic.twitter.com/U2uDURUbIa Jason Mackey (@JMackeyPG) May 11, 2024 Here is some context and a visual on the Bullpen area being standing room only to watch Paul Skenes warm-up! @SNPittsburgh #LetsGoBucs pic.twitter.com/7wcmqdtjbS Hannah Mears (@mearshannah_) May 11, 2024 So, just who is Paul Skenes? Here's a primer for those unfamiliar with the 2023 first overall pick. From Air Force Academy to Baton Rouge to Pittsburgh.Learn about Paul Skenes' journey to The Show! pic.twitter.com/SVvay79avX MLB (@MLB) May 11, 2024 Skenes arrived at PNC Park on Saturday to find his No. 30 jersey in a locker next to that of another prized rookie starter, Jared Jones. The Pirates are hoping Jones and Skenes will be their rocks for the next decade. Paul Skenes has arrived at PNC Park for his MLB debut with the Pirates pic.twitter.com/9F3JfaWRJ4 MLB (@MLB) May 11, 2024 Pittsburgh designated pitcher Roansy Contreras for assignment to make room for Skenes on the 40-man roster, general manager Ben Cherington announced, per Kevin Gorman of the Pittsburgh Tribune.Skenes gets MLB promotionSkenes received the call Wednesday that he'd be promoted to the majors after dominating Triple-A. The Pirates opted to start Skenes in the minor leagues to begin the season, but he quickly proved too advanced for that level, posting an 0.99 ERA and 45 strikeouts over seven starts (27 1/3 innings). 5.11.24 pic.twitter.com/fPh1beCkwn Pittsburgh Pirates (@Pirates) May 8, 2024 Pirates take Skenes with No. 1 pickThe Pirates selected Skenes with the first pick in the 2023 draft out of LSU on July 9, 2023. The left-hander posted a 1.69 ERA, 0.75 WHIP, and 209 strikeouts in 122 2/3 innings in his only season with the Tigers. Officially official. pic.twitter.com/TaRwcRDTpO Pittsburgh Pirates (@Pirates) July 18, 2023 Skenes signed a contract that included a record $9.2 million signing bonus."I'm just looking forward to what's to come with playing baseball and hopefully winning a World Series or two in Pittsburgh," Skenes said on draft day. Copyright © 2024 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Seiya Suzuki appears to be progressing towards a rehab assignment. The Cubs right fielder was spotted running from third to home ahead of Sunday s game against the Brewers. Suzuki went on the 10-Day IL with a right oblique strain on Apr. 15. Since then Mike Tauchman has taken on the bulk of the work in right field. In 15 games...