Paul Skenes earns first win of the season against Rays

On April 2, 2025, in Tampa, Florida, Paul Skenes pitched a strong seven-inning game for the Pittsburgh Pirates in their matchup against the Tampa Bay Rays. Skenes, who had a rocky start, did not record any strikeouts in the first two innings, marking a career first, as he eventually found his rhythm and struck out six batters during the game. The Pirates secured a 4-2 victory against the Rays, aided by Oneil Cruz's impressive performance which included a two-run homer. This win helped the Pirates end a losing streak of four games and brought attention to Skenes, who is also the 2024 National League Rookie of the Year and an All-Star from the prior season. Skenes allowed only one unearned run while generating 13 swings-and-misses, showcasing his pitching prowess throughout the game. His performance was complemented by his teammates in the offense, who supported him with timely hits that secured a lead against the Rays—a team that had previously been performing strongly. After the game, Skenes humorously acknowledged his public profile, as it coincided with a recent GQ magazine feature about him and his girlfriend, Livvy Dunne. Despite being mostly focused on the game, he was aware that this newfound attention could bring some lighthearted teasing from his teammates about the magazine piece. The Pirates are preparing to return home to Pittsburgh for their upcoming game against the New York Yankees, raising expectations for Skenes and his continued development as a key player. The Rays, on the other hand, are set to travel to Texas to continue their season amidst mixed results.