Trea Turner launched a three-run homer in a five-run second inning, and the Philadelphia Phillies beat Pittsburgh ace Paul Skenes and the Pirates 10-6 on Wednesday night. Bryce Harper also drove in runs, while Philadelphia’s bullpen closed out the game with Or
PHILADELPHIA — Trea Turner didn’t wait long to make the night uncomfortable for Paul Skenes.
In a five-run second inning, Turner hit a three-run home run that helped the Philadelphia Phillies build a 5-0 lead. The Pirates ace, already under pressure, never found his footing after that burst, as the Phillies went on to beat Pittsburgh 10-6 on Wednesday night.
Skenes (6-8) lasted four innings, allowing six hits and a season-high seven earned runs. The loss extended a troubling stretch that has followed him since the start of June. He has not won in his last nine starts, losing six decisions during that span.
The decline has been visible game to game. Skenes’ first loss in his current slide came on May 17 at PNC Park, where he lost to Wheeler and the Phillies by 6-0. That day, he didn’t allow a run until the fifth inning. This time, the damage came earlier.
In the second, Pirates third baseman Nick Gonzales fielded a bases-loaded grounder, but a play at the plate went wrong. Gonzales fired the ball off runner Alec Bohm’s hand for an error and two runs. Turner hit the next pitch into the seats for his third homer in as many games. turning early frustration into a clear separation.
Pittsburgh tried to respond. Henry Davis hit a homer as the Pirates scored twice in the third, and Brandon Marsh got one back for Philadelphia with a solo shot in the bottom half.
The Phillies pushed the margin wider in the fourth. Bryce Harper’s line drive was misjudged by left fielder Tyler Callihan, allowing it to become a two-run double that made it 8-2.
Pittsburgh didn’t go quietly. Gonzales drove in another run with an RBI single in the fifth to cut the deficit to five. Kyle Backhus also made an impact by hitting two batters consecutively, forcing in a run and making it 8-4.
A two-run double by Jared Triolo in the seventh brought the score to 8-6, but Philadelphia found another swing in the eighth when Bohm hit a two-run homer.
The late innings belonged to the Phillies’ bullpen. Orion Kerkering (6-0) retired five straight outs in the seventh, and Jhoan Duran pitched the ninth for his 22nd save.
The night ends with the Phillies in control, and the Pirates turning their attention to what comes next. Despite excessive heat warnings, it’s still scheduled to be a 12:30 p.m. start on Thursday, with the Pirates’ Jared Jones (1-1, 5.76 ERA) facing the Phillies’ Alan Rangel (0-1, 4.50).
Philadelphia Phillies Pittsburgh Pirates Paul Skenes Trea Turner Bryce Harper Nick Gonzales Jhoan Duran Orion Kerkering Jared Jones Alan Rangel MLB