Paul Skenes tagged for 5 runs in second straight start, finishes July with 6.25 ERA in 6 appearances

Pittsburgh Pirates ace Paul Skenes is typically a must-watch when his turn in the rotation comes up. But over his past two starts — and during the month of July, really — fans watching him may be compelled to cover their eyes.

The reigning National League Cy Young Award winner gave up five runs for the second consecutive start in Friday's matchup with the Cincinnati Reds.

The Pirates' lineup gave Skenes a 2-0 lead in the top of the first inning, knocking three singles off Reds starter Hunter Greene. But Skenes quickly allowed Cincinnati to tie the score with walks to Elly De La Cruz and JJ Bleday, followed by a two-run single by Tyler Stephenson.

Jake Mangum put Pittsburgh back ahead with a solo homer in the second and Skenes held that 3-2 lead up for an inning. But in the third, he served up a 96 mph fastball in the high middle of the strike zone and Bleday launched it halfway into the right-field seats for a home run.

Skenes buckled in the fourth, allowing a one-out triple to De La Cruz before leaving an 86 mph sweeper to Sal Stewart toward the middle of the zone. Stewart didn't miss the gift, blasting the ball deep to center field for a two-run homer and 5-3 Reds lead.

Skenes struck out Bleday and Stephenson to get out of the inning, but that was it for him with 100 pitches thrown. Antwone Kelly replaced him in the fifth.

In his four innings, Skenes allowed 5 runs and 7 hits with 4 walks, though he did notch 7 strikeouts. That follows up the 5 runs and 6 hits (albeit with 11 strikeouts) he gave up in Saturday's 11-0 loss to the Chicago Cubs.

Skenes began July with seven runs allowed over four innings in a 10-6 defeat versus the Philadelphia Phillies, the worst performance of his career. In his start before that, he gave up another four runs to the Reds.

The right-hander also had three starts in which he allowed three runs or fewer. But Friday's appearance capped the worst stretch Skenes has had in his three MLB seasons. He finishes July with 6.25 ERA in six starts. His ERA on the season is now 3.90.