Paul Skenes Nearly Perfect, Konnor Griffin Hits First MLB Home Run

Pittsburgh Pirates rookie right-hander Paul Skenes came within one out of a perfect game Friday night, even as fellow rookie Konnor Griffin delivered his first career Major League home run in a losing effort for the Detroit Tigers.

Skenes retired the first 26 batters he faced against the Chicago Cubs at PNC Park, carrying a no-hitter into the ninth inning before Michael Busch broke it up with a leadoff single. The Pirates ultimately won 3-0, with Skenes finishing with one hit allowed, no runs, and 11 strikeouts over eight innings.

“He was absolutely dominant,” said Pirates manager Derek Shelton after the game. “To have that kind of stuff and command early in his career is special.”

Griffin, meanwhile, connected for his first MLB home run in the Tigers’ 5-2 loss to the Cleveland Guardians at Comerica Park. The solo shot to left-center field in the fourth inning came off Guardians starter Tanner Bibee and gave Detroit a brief 2-1 lead.

“It’s a special moment,” Griffin said. “To get that first big league homer in front of our fans means a lot.”

The performances highlighted a night of notable rookie contributions across Major League Baseball, with both players continuing strong starts to their debut seasons.

Skenes’ Historic Near-Perfection

Skenes’ performance represented one of the most impressive outings by a rookie in recent memory. Through his first eight innings, he faced the minimum 24 batters thanks to a pickoff of Nathaniel Lowe in the first inning, showcasing both overpowering stuff and sharp command.

His fastball touched 100 mph multiple times according to stadium radar readings, while his slider generated numerous swings, and misses. The only blemish came with two outs in the eighth when Busch worked a full count before lining a 0-2 pitch into left field for a single.

Skenes retired the next batter, Ian Happ, on a grounder to shortstop to conclude the inning, but manager Shelton opted to bring in reliever David Bednar for the ninth with the Pirates leading 3-0.

“We wanted to get him the win and protect him for next time,” Shelton explained of the decision to remove Skenes with one out remaining in the potential perfect game.

The near-perfect game improved Skenes’ rookie record to 4-2 with a 2.45 ERA. He has now struck out 57 batters in 44 innings while walking just 10, continuing a dominant start that began with his highly anticipated MLB debut.

Griffin’s Milestone Moment

Griffin’s home run came in his 12th Major League game, providing offensive spark for a Tigers team that has struggled early in the season. The 22-year-old outfielder, selected by Detroit in the first round of the 2023 MLB Draft, had been batting .182 entering Friday’s game.

The solo homer to left-center field cleared the fence with an estimated distance of 385 feet, according to Statcast data displayed on the Comerica Park scoreboard. It snapped a 0-for-9 skid and gave Griffin his first RBI of the season.

Despite Griffin’s milestone, the Tigers couldn’t hold off the Guardians, who scored three runs in the sixth inning to break a 2-2 tie. Cleveland reliever Emmanuel Clase closed out the game for his eighth save, securing the 5-2 victory.

Griffin finished the game 1-for-4 with the home run and a strikeout. He has now appeared in 12 games for Detroit, collecting two hits including his first Major League home run.

Rookie Impact Across MLB

The performances by Skenes and Griffin were part of a broader trend of rookie influence in Friday’s MLB action. Several other first-year players made notable contributions across the league’s schedule.

In addition to the Pirates and Tigers games, rookies factored prominently in outcomes from St. Louis to Cincinnati to Houston, according to preliminary game summaries. The influx of young talent continues to shape early-season narratives as teams evaluate their future building blocks.

For Pittsburgh, Skenes’ dominance reinforces the Pirates’ decision to fast-track their top prospect to the big leagues. The organization has managed his workload carefully, limiting him to six innings in his first two starts before allowing deeper outings in recent appearances.

Detroit, meanwhile, hopes Griffin’s power development will provide a much-needed boost to a lineup that has lacked consistency early in 2026. The Tigers have been patient with his adjustment to Major League pitching, believing his raw tools will eventually translate to sustained production.

What’s Next

Skenes is scheduled to produce his next start on Wednesday against the Miami Marlins at loanDepot Park, looking to build on his strong second half of the season. The Pirates will aim to continue their push for a winning record as they navigate a competitive National League Central division.

Griffin and the Tigers will seek to bounce back when they open a three-game series against the Minnesota Twins on Saturday at Comerica Park. Detroit will appear to get more offensive support around their young players as they attempt to climb out of the early-season cellar in the American League Central.

Both players remain under close monitoring by their respective clubs, with pitch counts and playing time managed carefully as they adjust to the demands of a full Major League schedule.

For continued updates on rookie performances and all MLB action throughout the 2026 season, stay tuned to Archysport’s comprehensive baseball coverage.

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