Paul Skenes’ Historic Homer Barrage Overshadowed in Shocking Pirates Defeat to Cubs

If you’ve been keeping an eye on Major League Baseball this season — and honestly, who hasn’t? — you’ve probably noticed the Chicago Cubs’ bats are firing on all cylinders. They aren’t just good; they’re among the very best in the league, dominating categories like batting average, on-base percentage, and OPS, lighting up scoreboards far more often than not. It’s no wonder then, when the Pittsburgh Pirates’ young right-hander Paul Skenes took the mound against them on Thursday, he encountered one of the toughest tests early in his career.

Skenes held his ground for the initial stretch, weaving through four innings without surrendering any damage, despite the Cubs peppering him with hard contact, mixing in walks to keep the pressure on. But the fifth inning? Oh boy — that’s when everything shifted like a switch flipped. Cubs slugger Dansby Swanson jumped on a pitch that hung just a little too long, launching his sixth homer of the year right out of the park. And just when you thought that might settle the Cubs, Kyle Tucker and Seiya Suzuki followed up with back-to-back home runs that sent a clear message: this offense doesn’t quit.

Sure, the spotlight often falls on the power numbers, but what really stands out here is the disciplined approach the Cubs brought to the plate — watching pitches, drawing walks, not chasing out of the zone. Their patience forced Skenes to adjust, switch gears, and ultimately, challenge him beyond his comfort zone. Cubs manager Craig Counsell’s praise for his players’ ability to lay off tricky pitches hits home — this wasn’t just about brute strength but smart baseball.

As for Skenes, the night presented some tough lessons. He equaled his career high in walks and gave up a career-most three homers in a single game. Still, the raw talent is undeniable, and every pitcher faces nights like this when going toe-to-toe with an elite lineup. The Pirates ended up on the short end, dropping the game and slipping further in the standings, but for Skenes, this outing was a real test — one he’ll no doubt learn from as his career unfolds.

For fans and casual observers alike, this game was a snapshot of baseball’s thrilling blend of strategy and raw power — a matchup where offense and pitching duked it out until the very end. And honestly? That’s why we watch.

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The Chicago Cubs have featured one of the best offenses in Major League Baseball during the first month of the 2025 season, among the league’s top two teams in batting average, on-base percentage, OPS, hits and runs scored.

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