Pittsburgh Pirates rookie Paul Skenes has impressed since making his MLB debut on May 11, and the Los Angeles Dodgers were the latest to see a steady dose of triple-digit fastballs.
Tuesday’s game was notable in that it represented the first time Skenes faced Shohei Ohtani. The 2023 No. 1 overall draft pick was born in Fullerton, Calif., and attended Los Angeles Angels games to watch Ohtani play in person.
Although Skenes ultimately developed as a starting pitcher, he looked up to Ohtani for his success as a two-way player, according to Alex Stumpf of MLB.com
“I grew up watching him,” Skenes said. “As a two-way guy, that was what I was trying to be before I got drafted. He was an inspiration in a lot of ways.”
Skenes’ first look at Ohtani ended favorably as he struck him out on three pitches. Each of those was at least 100 mph and Ohtani whiffed on all three.
It was the first time a starter got a strikeout on three pitches that were all a minimum of 100 mph and whiffed on during the pitch tracking era (since 2008).
Then in the third inning, Ohtani got the better of the matchup as he slugged a 415-foot, two-run home run to center field that reached the batter’s eye. Ohtani hit a 100.1 mph fastball from Skenes that he sent out with a 105.6 mph exit velocity.
It was the fastest pitch Ohtani has ever hit a home run against in his career.
Ohtani singled in the fifth inning and the Dodgers went on to load the bases but Skenes worked out of the jam. Skenes finished with eight strikeouts over five innings and allowed three runs, all of which were scored two homers. The other was hit by Andy Pages.
Paul Skenes vs. Shohei Ohtani bobblehead
To commemorate the matchup between Skenes and Ohtani, FOCO released a limited-edition dual bobblehead of the two players in respective action poses.
They’re set atop a base with text displays “STEEL CITY SHO DOWN” and “EAST VS. WEST” on the backdrop.
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