loading
  • Top 2nd
  • Kansas City KC 0
  • Minnesota MIN 0
  • Bot 1st
  • Arizona AZ 0
  • St. Louis STL 0
  • 5/244:05PM
  • San Francisco SF
  • Washington WSH
  • 5/244:05PM
  • Milwaukee MIL
  • Pittsburgh PIT
  • 5/244:10PM
  • Texas TEX
  • Chicago CWS
  • 5/244:10PM
  • Seattle SEA
  • Houston HOU
  • 5/244:10PM
  • Chicago CHC
  • Cincinnati CIN
  • 5/244:10PM
  • Baltimore BAL
  • Boston BOS
  • 5/244:10PM
  • San Diego SD
  • Atlanta ATL
  • 5/244:10PM
  • New York NYY
  • Colorado COL
  • 5/247:05PM
  • Toronto TOR
  • Tampa Bay TB
  • 5/247:15PM
  • Cleveland CLE
  • Detroit DET
  • 5/247:15PM
  • Los Angeles LAD
  • New York NYM
  • 5/2410:05PM
  • Philadelphia PHI
  • Oakland OAK
  • 5/2410:07PM
  • Miami MIA
  • Los Angeles LAA
World Baseball Network
  • MLB
  • WBC
  • International
    • Americas
      • Venezuela
      • El Salvador
      • Mexico
      • Puerto Rico
      • Dominican Republic
      • Cuba
      • Serie del Caribe
    • Asia
      • South Korea
      • Japan
    • Europe
      • Germany
      • Italy
    • Oceania
      • Australia
  • Minors
    • Minors
      • Appalachian League
      • Arizona Fall League
      • Double-A Eastern League
      • Double-A Southern League
      • Double-A Texas League
      • Florida Complex League
      • High-A Midwest League
      • High-A Northwest League
      • High-A South Atlantic League
      • Northwoods League
      • Single-A California League
      • Single-A Carolina League
      • Single-A Florida State League
      • Triple-A Pacific Coast League
  • Indi
    • Indi
      • American Association
      • Atlantic League
      • Can-Am League
      • Frontier League
      • Pioneer League
  • NCAA
  • // Ohtani
  • // Watch

  About 3 minutes reading time.

Paul Skenes says blame for the Pirates’ poor start lies with the players, not management

 The Associated Press  |    Apr 5th, 2025 6:00pm EDT

PITTSBURGH (AP) — isn’t exactly sure what the record is, only that it’s not good.

Pittsburgh’s young ace and reigning National League Rookie of the Year understands the in boos and chants of “Sell the team” directed at increasingly popular targets manager Derek Shelton and owner Bob Nutting during a 9-4 loss to the New York Yankees on Friday,

Skenes believes the angst should be directed elsewhere.

“Mr. Nutting and Shelty aren’t the ones playing,” Skenes said on Saturday. “We’re the ones playing. If we were 8-0 through however many games we’ve played right now, the fans aren’t booing. We’ve got to play better.”

With the Pirates 2-6, the 22-year-old Skenes has been one of the few bright spots during a dismal opening 10 dayss. The right-hander has been brilliant during his two starts, allowing two earned runs on six hits with 13 strikeouts in 12 1/3 innings.

But it’s telling of how things have gone that Pittsburgh dropped its opener when the and needed a late dash of offense — a rarity so far — to on Wednesday.

On Friday, the typically celebratory atmosphere of Pittsburgh’s home opener was tinged with audible and visible signs of fan unrest. A plane circled PNC Park towing a banner urging Nutting to put the club up for sale. Shelton, now in his sixth season, was booed when he was introduced. And chants of “Sell the Team” popped up a handful of times as the Yankees quickly pulled away.

Everyone in the organization, from Nutting to Shelton to Skenes, have stressed it’s time for the Pirates to contend. They haven’t looked the part so far, though it’s important to note they’ve played 5% of their 162-game schedule.

Most teams go through a rocky stretch at some point. Skenes is optimistic Pittsburgh’s just happened to come in April.

“It’s a long season,” he said. “I want to believe that it all evens out. But we aren’t getting these games back. We will go on a stretch where we will go … 7-2 or wherever we are right now in an opposite way.”

Piitsburgh has been mistakes, particularly on the basepaths and in the outfield, where it’s often been an adventure for centerfielder Oneil Cruz and whoever ends up flanking him.

“I think pretty much everything has room to improve,” Skenes said. “We can play a lot better.”

Skenes added he sees the work that goes on behind closed doors, so he’s not going to panic. Asked to elaborate on what that work might entail, he smiled and said, “There are reasons it’s behind closed doors sometimes. We’ve got to keep doing things right.”

The way the rotation order prevented Skenes from facing Aaron Judge and the torpedo-bat-wielding Yankees this weekend. He’s not that concerned, pointing out he’ll likely get a start against Judge later in the season.

“We’re going to get our chances to face off,” Skenes said, before casually adding “probably see him in the All-Star Game this year again. It is what it is. We’re going to be around for a little bit.’

___

AP MLB:

author avatar
The Associated Press
See Full Bio

Category: MLB

Tags: Aaron Judge, New York Yankees, Oneil Cruz, Paul Skenes, Pittsburgh Pirates

  You May Also Like

Pirates ace Paul Skenes on the idea the last-place club should trade him: ‘Anybody can play GM’
  10 hours ago -   Adam Frazier, Don Kelly, Henry Davis, Oneil Cruz, Paul Skenes, Pittsburgh Pirates, Sal Frelick
Machado’s late homer lifts Padres over Braves 2-1, ending 6-game skid
  11 hours ago -   Aaron Judge, Abner Uribe, Adam Frazier, Alek Thomas, Alex Verdugo, Alexander Canario, Andrew McCutchen, Atlanta Braves, Bo Naylor, Brandon Lowe, Bryan Reynolds, Cal Raleigh, Carlos Correa, Carlos Santana, Cavan Biggio, Ceddanne Rafaela, Chicago White Sox, Chris Flexen, Chris Sale, Cole Sands, Corbin Carroll, Curtis Mead, Dansby Swanson, Derek Dietrich, Drew Rasmussen, Edwin Uceta, Emerson Hancock, Emmanuel Clase, Emmanuel Rivera, Eric Lauer, Gabriel Moreno, Garrett Whitlock, Gavin Sheets, Gregory Soto, Hunter Gaddis, Isaac Paredes, Isiah Kiner-Falefa, Jackson Rutledge, Jacob Lopez, Jake Bird, Jarren Duran, Jason Adam, Javier Baez, Jeff McNeil, Joey Bart, Jonathan India, Jordan Leasure, Jordan Romano, Jorge Soler, Jose Altuve, Jose Ramirez, Jung Hoo Lee, Kenley Jansen, Ketel Marte, Kyle Tucker, Landen Roupp, Lawrence Butler, Leody Taveras, Logan O'Hoppe, Lucas Erceg, Luis Robert, MacKenzie Gore, Manny Machado, Matt Chapman, Miles Mastrobuoni, Miles Mikolas, New York Mets, Nick Pivetta, Nolan Arenado, Oneil Cruz, Orion Kerkering, Paul Skenes, Pete Crow-Armstrong, Peter Fairbanks, Rafael Devers, Raisel Iglesias, Randal Grichuk, Robert Suarez, Ryan Borucki, Ryan Helsley, Ryan McMahon, Sal Frelick, San Diego Padres, Sandy Alcantara, Seiya Suzuki, Slade Cecconi, Spencer Torkelson, Steven Kwan, Steven Wilson, Tanner Banks, Tanner Scott, Taylor Ward, Teoscar Hernandez, Tony Santillan, Trea Turner, Ty France, Tyler Mahle, Tyrone Taylor, Vinnie Pasquantino, William Contreras, Willy Adames, Wilmer Flores, Yusei Kikuchi, Zac Gallen, Zack Wheeler
McMahon hits 2-run double, Gordon picks up 1st win as scuffling Rockies beat Yankees 3-2
  11 hours ago -   Aaron Judge, Bo Nix, Brandon Pfaadt, Clarke Schmidt, Colorado Rockies, Ezequiel Tovar, Hunter Goodman, Jake Bird, Kyle Freeland, Max Fried, New York Yankees, Ryan McMahon, Tim Hill
Adam Frazier scores on wild pitch in the bottom of the 10th to lift the Pirates past the Brewers 6-5
  12 hours ago -   Abner Uribe, Adam Frazier, Alexander Canario, Andrew McCutchen, Bryan Reynolds, Christian Yelich, Isiah Kiner-Falefa, Jackson Chourio, Joey Bart, Milwaukee Brewers, Mitch Keller, Oneil Cruz, Paul Skenes, Pittsburgh Pirates, Quinn Priester, Rhys Hoskins, Ryan Borucki, Sal Frelick, William Contreras
DJ LeMahieu makes his 2nd return to Coors Field with Yanks as his former team historically struggles
  14 hours ago -   Aaron Judge, Carlos Gonzalez, Charlie Blackmon, Chicago Cubs, Colorado Rockies, DJ LeMahieu, Giancarlo Stanton, Marcus Stroman, New York Yankees, Nolan Arenado, Trevor Story
Yelich homers twice and the Brewers hold off the Pirates 8-5 after a long rain delay
  1 day ago -   Aaron Civale, Bryan Reynolds, Carmen Mlodzinski, Christian Yelich, Freddy Peralta, Isaac Mattson, Joey Ortiz, Milwaukee Brewers, Paul Skenes, Pittsburgh Pirates, Sal Frelick, Spencer Horwitz, Trevor Megill
Brewers activate pitcher Aaron Civale off injured list and DFA reliever Joel Payamps
  2 days ago -   Aaron Civale, Easton McGee, Joel Payamps, Milwaukee Brewers, New York Yankees
Pirates GM Ben Cherington says trading ace Paul Skenes is ‘not at all part of the conversation’
  2 days ago -   Andrew Heaney, Andrew McCutchen, Bailey Falter, Bryan Reynolds, Chicago White Sox, Don Kelly, Henry Davis, Ke'Bryan Hayes, Mitch Keller, Nick Gonzales, Oneil Cruz, Paul Skenes, Pittsburgh Pirates
Tweets by WorldBaseball_

Newsletter Signup

"*" indicates required fields

Name*
  • About Us
  • Advertise to Baseball Enthusiasts Across the Globe Now
  • Contact
  • Learn About the History of Baseball
  • How We Protect Your Privacy
Covered by one or more copyrights including:
Copyright © 2025 World Baseball Network LLC. All Rights Reserved.

Follow Us

Menu
  • MLB
  • WBC
  • International
  • Minors
  • Indi
  • NCAA
  • // Ohtani
  • // Watch
International
  • Americas
  • Asia
  • Europe
  • Oceania
Americas
  • Venezuela
  • El Salvador
  • Mexico
  • Puerto Rico
  • Dominican Republic
  • Cuba
  • Serie del Caribe
Asia
  • South Korea
  • Japan
Europe
  • Germany
  • Italy
Oceania
  • Australia
Minors
  • Minors
Minors
  • Appalachian League
  • Arizona Fall League
  • Double-A Eastern League
  • Double-A Southern League
  • Double-A Texas League
  • Florida Complex League
  • High-A Midwest League
  • High-A Northwest League
  • High-A South Atlantic League
  • Northwoods League
  • Single-A California League
  • Single-A Carolina League
  • Single-A Florida State League
  • Triple-A Pacific Coast League
Indi
  • Indi
Indi
  • American Association
  • Atlantic League
  • Can-Am League
  • Frontier League
  • Pioneer League

Notifications