Opening Day brought plenty of drama, especially for the Pittsburgh Pirates and their ace, Paul Skenes. Known as one of the top pitchers in the league, Skenes had a tough outing against the New York Mets, getting pulled in the first inning. His control was off, and the defense behind him didn't offer much help either.
Oneil Cruz, the Pirates' outfielder, had a particularly challenging start. In a bases-loaded situation, Cruz misjudged a ball's speed off the bat.
Instead of hanging back, he charged forward, only to watch it sail over his head, allowing three runs to score. Brett Baty took advantage, turning it into a triple since Cruz never touched the ball.
PAUL SKENES GOT PULLED IN THE FIRST INNING
— Pat McAfee (@PatMcAfeeShow) March 26, 2026
WHAT THE HELL IS GOING ON #PMSLive https://t.co/baIKimj2S3 pic.twitter.com/n3VUk7PCnH
Moments later, Cruz lost another ball in the sun off a Marcus Semien pop-up, adding another run to the Mets' tally. Though these weren't scored as errors, they were costly mistakes.
Skenes ended up allowing five runs before leaving the game. Meanwhile, Pat McAfee and his ESPN co-hosts, known for their Pittsburgh roots and Pirates fandom, were visibly frustrated with Skenes' early exit. McAfee's "Baseball isn't boring" shirt seemed especially apt for the occasion.
As the game progressed, the Mets led the Pirates 9-5 in a slugfest. Despite the deficit, the Pirates found some bright spots with three home runs, including two from Brandon Lowe. With the game only in the fifth inning, there's still a chance for the Pirates to rally and turn things around.