Pirates phenom Paul Skenes notches 100th strikeout in just 13th MLB start

Paul Skenes' already amazing season continues to become even more impressive.

The Pittsburgh Pirates rookie — also the All-Star Game starter for the National League — tallied the 100th strikeout of his nascent major-league career in Monday's 5–3 win over the Houston Astros. The milestone whiff occurred in the second inning, with Skenes getting Jon Singleton swinging on an 88-mph changeup.

A big, round number like 100 is notable enough for a rookie pitcher. But Skenes is a phenom, and how quickly he reached 100 strikeouts is what makes his achievement special.

As the Pirates shared on social media, Skenes is just the sixth pitcher since the pitching mound was set 60 feet, 6 inches away from home plate in 1893 to reach 100 strikeouts in 13 or fewer games.

(Prior to 1893, pitchers threw from a distance that increased several times since baseball's origins in 1845, beginning at 45 feet before moving to 55 feet, 6 inches, as MLB.com's Anthony Castrovince explained.)

Put another way, Skenes is the sixth pitcher since 1901 to compile 100 strikeouts in his first 13 career starts, according to MLB.com's Sarah Langs.

Skenes finished his outing Monday by pitching six innings with six strikeouts, five hits, three walks and two runs allowed (one earned). He left with the Pirates down 2–1, and thus didn't get the win. Yet Skenes lowered his ERA to 1.90 on the season with 103 strikeouts in 80 2/3 innings.

However, Pittsburgh did win the game, finishing off a ninth-inning rally with a Michael A. Taylor three-run homer off Josh Hader.