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Paul Skenes glows over Pirates outfielder who brings everything to the table appeared first on ClutchPoints. Add ClutchPoints as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
While Pittsburgh Pirates pitcher Paul Skenes led the team to a 7-1 win over the Cleveland Guardians on Sunday, as the team won the series, it also featured a standout performance from the ball club’s ninth-hole hitter. As the Pirates took the series win over the Guardians, which featured a postponement, Skenes would shoutout the outing from outfielder Billy Cook.
Starting in center field and batting ninth, Cook went three for four with a triple, three RBIs and provided good play in the outfield, as Skenes shouted him out after the contest. Skenes would call Cook a “Swiss Army Knife” and spoke about how reliable he is in the outfield.
“If we need vibes, he’s got vibes. If we need a double, he’s got a double. If we need an unbelievable play in center field, he’s got that, too,” Skenes said.
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Speaking after the game to SportsNet Pittsburgh, Cook spoke about his production, even going out of his way to talk about Skenes.
“It was great (to) go out there and play some defense, drive in some runs, score a run, but I think everybody did that today,” Cook said on the SportsNet Pittsburgh postgame show. “Jake (Mangum) had an outfield assist, we had a lot of defense behind (Skenes) — he pitched great — and then guys getting clutch hits. For me, it was great. But our whole team did everything.”
Pirates’ Paul Skenes on his start
Speaking of Skenes, he would record his ninth win of the season, striking out eight batters, walking two, and allowing seven hits and one run in eight innings (100 pitches). According to The Pittsburgh Tribune-Review, Skenes would express what he liked about his start against Cleveland.
“Got some early outs. That helps,” Skenes said. “Not a ton of long at-bats. It’s pretty much what it adds up to. If you can get early outs and avoid the nine- or 10-pitch at-bats and get outs when you need to, it’s a pretty good equation for going deep into games.”
At any rate, the Pirates now start a new series against the New York Yankees on Monday.
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