On June 11, 2024, in St. Louis, Missouri, the Pittsburgh Pirates faced off against the Cincinnati Reds in a thrilling game. Rookie pitcher Paul Skenes showed off his skills once again, throwing six solid innings and helping the Pirates secure a 4-1 victory. Skenes, who currently boasts a record of 4-0, only allowed one run on six hits while striking out seven batters and walking just one. Aroldis Chapman and Colin Holderman also contributed to the win by pitching a scoreless inning each, and David Bednar closed out the game with his 15th save of the season.
For the Reds, Elly De La Cruz stood out with three hits and his major-league-leading 37th stolen base. Despite his efforts, the Reds have been struggling lately, losing three consecutive games and five of their last seven. The Pirates, on the other hand, seem to be on an upswing, winning three of their last four games. Skenes, who was the first overall pick in the 2023 draft, has consistently performed well for Pittsburgh, allowing three earned runs or fewer in all seven of his starts so far.
In other MLB action, the New York Mets dominated the Texas Rangers with a 14-2 victory. Players like Brandon Nimmo, DJ Stewart, Francisco Lindor, Pete Alonso, and Francisco Alvarez all contributed to the Mets’ impressive win. The team’s 22 hits marked their highest tally since 2019. Meanwhile, the pitching duo of David Peterson and Carlos Estevez held the Rangers at bay, with Texas starter Jon Gray struggling on the mound.
The St. Louis Cardinals managed to edge out the Miami Marlins in a tight 12-inning game. Masyn Winn’s two-run homer proved to be the difference-maker for the Cardinals, despite blowing three leads earlier in the game. Andrew Kittredge eventually secured the win for St. Louis, with Bryan De La Cruz’s three-run homer for the Marlins forcing the game into extra innings.
The Los Angeles Angels defeated the Milwaukee Brewers 5-3, with Zach Plesac stepping up for the Angels in a last-minute starting role. Plesac’s solid pitching, combined with Zach Neto’s two-run homer, helped secure the win for Los Angeles. Carlos Rodriguez struggled on the mound for the Brewers, allowing five runs in less than five innings.
The Philadelphia Phillies, Boston Red Sox, Atlanta Braves, San Francisco Giants, and Los Angeles Dodgers also notched wins in their respective matchups, showcasing some exciting baseball action across the league. The MLB season is in full swing, with plenty of surprises and standout performances to keep fans on the edge of their seats.