On July 11, 2024, the Milwaukee Brewers faced off against the Pittsburgh Pirates at American Family Field in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. The game turned out to be a thrilling one, as the Pirates came close to throwing a combined no-hitter, only to have it broken up in the eighth inning.
Pittsburgh Pirates’ rookie pitcher, Paul Skenes, took the mound and dominated the Brewers’ lineup for seven innings, not allowing a single hit. Skenes, making his 11th start in the big leagues, showed poise and control as he struck out 11 batters and walked only one. He was in command of his pitches, throwing 65 of his 99 pitches for strikes.
In the eighth inning, with the no-hitter still intact, Colin Holderman took over for Skenes on the mound. Unfortunately for the Pirates, Jake Bauers of the Brewers managed to break up the no-hitter with a single to lead off the inning. Despite this setback, the Pirates held on for a 1-0 victory over the Brewers.
The lone run of the game came in the seventh inning when Yasmani Grandal of the Pirates hit an RBI double, providing the necessary offense for the win.
This near no-hitter was a reminder of the Pirates’ history with such rare feats. The last time the Pirates recorded a no-hitter was on July 12, 1997, when Francisco Cordova and Ricardo Rincon combined to no-hit the Houston Astros in a 3-0 victory.
Overall, it was a memorable game for the Pirates, showcasing their pitching prowess and ability to compete at a high level. The fans in attendance at American Family Field were treated to a thrilling performance, despite the late-game hit that broke up the no-hitter.
With this win, the Pirates continue to show promise and potential for the future, led by young talents like Paul Skenes on the mound. It will be exciting to see how the rest of the season unfolds for this resilient and determined team.
