Pirates SP Paul Skenes gets tagged for career-worst 7 earned runs vs. Phillies

Pittsburgh Pirates ace Paul Skenes had the worst start of his career on Wednesday, July 2, 2026, against the Philadelphia Phillies, allowing eight runs (seven earned) in just four innings of work. The outing surpassed his previous career high of five earned runs allowed in a single start and raised his ERA from 3.10 to 3.62 on the season. Skenes entered the game with a 6-7 record and 114 strikeouts, ninth-most in MLB, as the Phillies and Pirates met in Game 3 of a four-game series.