MLB roundup: Pirates defeat Cubs despite Paul Skenes’ 11 strikeouts 

Paul Skenes struck out 11 over six no-hit innings, leading the Pittsburgh Pirates to a 9-3 victory against the Chicago Cubs on Friday afternoon.

Skenes (1-0) secured his first career win in just his second major league start. He fanned the first seven batters and maintained a perfect game until issuing a walk to Michael Busch with one out in the fifth inning. Busch was the only Cubs player to reach base against Skenes. Despite his dominance, Skenes’ pitch count reached 100, with 67 strikes, necessitating his replacement by Carmen Mlodzinski for the seventh inning.

Connor Joe collected three hits, while Jared Triolo and Yasmani Grandal each added two hits and three RBIs for Pittsburgh, which has won the first two games of the four-game series.

Cubs starter Kyle Hendricks (0-4) allowed eight runs (seven earned) on 11 hits in 4 2/3 innings. He struck out four without issuing a walk, causing his ERA to rise to 10.57. Miguel Amaya hit a solo home run for the Cubs.

Rays 4, Blue Jays 3

Tyler Alexander was perfect into the eighth inning, and Richie Palacios hit a two-run home run, helping the visiting Tampa Bay Rays defeat the Toronto Blue Jays.

Davis Schneider hit a two-run homer for the Blue Jays, who did not have a base runner until Danny Jansen singled with one out in the eighth. Alexander (2-2) gave up three runs and three hits over 7 1/3 innings, striking out four without walking a batter.

Toronto’s Chris Bassitt (3-6) allowed three runs on five hits and three walks, striking out five over 5 2/3 innings.

Tigers 13, Diamondbacks 0

Javier Baez drove in five runs and Kerry Carpenter added four RBIs as the Detroit Tigers, overcoming recent offensive struggles, routed the Arizona Diamondbacks in Phoenix.

The Tigers amassed 17 hits in the series opener. Rookie Colt Keith recorded a career-high four hits, contributing two RBIs and three runs. Six Tigers posted multi-hit games, leading to a season-high run total. Tigers starter Tarik Skubal (6-0) pitched six innings of one-hit ball, striking out six without walking a batter.

Arizona, limited to three hits and no walks, suffered its first shutout loss since an 8-0 defeat by the Los Angeles Dodgers on May 1.