Paul Skenes pitched 5 1/3 scoreless innings, and Henry Davis hit the game’s only home run as the Pittsburgh Pirates beat the Los Angeles Angels 1-0 on Sunday.
Skenes allowed four hits and earned his first win since July 19. Four Pittsburgh relievers completed a five-hit shutout, while Mason Montgomery recorded his 10th save.
Angels rookie Walbert Urena took the loss despite throwing the first complete game of his career. He allowed just one run and three hits over eight innings, but Los Angeles was shut out for the second time in three games and lost for the 11th time in 13 contests.
Skenes Ends Seven-Start Winless Stretch
Skenes entered Sunday without a win in his previous seven starts.
The 2025 NL Cy Young Award winner had last earned a victory against Cleveland in his first outing following the All-Star break.
He ended the drought with an efficient performance against the Angels.
Skenes allowed four hits, struck out two, and walked one. Los Angeles put runners on base against him but could not produce a run.
The right-hander worked into the sixth inning before Pittsburgh turned the game over to its bullpen.
Skenes improved to 10-11 with the win.
The matchup carried additional significance for Skenes. It was his first career appearance against the Angels, the team he supported while growing up in Orange County.
Davis Supplies Only Run
Pittsburgh did not generate much offense against Urena, but Davis provided all the scoring the Pirates needed.
The catcher came to the plate in the third inning and pulled a drive down the left-field line.
The ball cleared the fence for Davis’ ninth home run of the season, putting Pittsburgh ahead 1-0.
Urena prevented the Pirates from adding to their advantage.
Brandon Lowe collected two of Pittsburgh’s three hits, but Los Angeles’ rookie starter kept the rest of the lineup quiet.
The Davis homer remained the difference for the rest of the afternoon.
Angels Lose Runner at Plate
Los Angeles had its best opportunity to tie the game in the fifth inning.
Zach Neto reached base and was at first with two outs when Mike Trout drove a double into the outfield.
Neto attempted to score all the way from first.
Center fielder Oneil Cruz retrieved the ball and sent it to Lowe at second base. Lowe completed the relay with a throw to the plate.
The Pirates cut down Neto before he could score, preserving their 1-0 lead.
The defensive play became one of the game’s decisive moments.
Instead of tying the score on Trout’s extra-base hit, the Angels ended the inning still trailing by a run.
Skenes returned to the mound with the lead intact and recorded one out in the sixth before his day ended.
Pirates Bullpen Completes Shutout
Pittsburgh needed four relievers to protect the one-run advantage after Skenes left.
Gregory Soto was the first pitcher out of the bullpen.
Carmen Mlodzinski and Camilo Doval also contributed before Montgomery handled the final outs.
The four relievers combined with Skenes to hold Los Angeles to five hits.
Montgomery finished the shutout and earned his 10th save.
With Urena continuing to keep Pittsburgh off the scoreboard, there was little room for error from the Pirates’ bullpen.
The relief corps responded by preventing the Angels from producing the tying run.
Urena Goes Distance in Tough Loss
Urena delivered the longest outing of his young career and gave Los Angeles every opportunity to stay in the game.
The rookie completed all eight innings for the Angels.
He surrendered only three hits, walked one, and struck out four. Davis’ third-inning homer accounted for the only run he allowed.
The performance marked Urena’s first career complete game and the first complete game by an Angels pitcher this season.
Despite those numbers, he fell to 9-10.
Los Angeles could not provide any run support against Skenes and the Pittsburgh bullpen.
Urena allowed just two more hits beyond Davis’ home run and kept the Angels within one swing of tying the game throughout the afternoon.
That swing never came.
Angels Offense Stalls Again
Los Angeles continued a difficult offensive stretch during the series.
The Angels were also shut out 1-0 in Friday’s opener before responding with a 6-1 win Saturday.
Sunday brought another low-scoring game.
Trout’s fifth-inning double gave Los Angeles a chance to tie the score, but Pittsburgh’s relay erased Neto at home.
The Angels finished with five hits and could not score against five Pirates pitchers.
Skenes limited them through the first 5 1/3 innings. Pittsburgh’s bullpen then protected the lead for the final 3 2/3 frames.
The loss dropped Los Angeles deeper into a difficult September stretch. The Angels have now lost 11 of their last 13 games.
Pirates Continue Series-Winning Run
Pittsburgh took two of three from Los Angeles despite scoring only eight runs during the series.
The Pirates won Friday’s opener 1-0 before the Angels answered with a 6-1 result Saturday.
Another 1-0 win on Sunday gave Pittsburgh the series.
It was the Pirates’ fourth consecutive series win, their longest run of series wins since 2024.
Skenes and the bullpen carried Pittsburgh on the mound, while Davis supplied the only offense needed.
Urena matched them for nearly the entire game, but one third-inning pitch decided the outcome.
Up Next
The Angels travel to Boston for the opener of a three-game series Monday night.
Right-hander Grayson Rodriguez is scheduled to start for Los Angeles. He enters the matchup with a 4-6 record and a 6.03 ERA.
Pittsburgh has Monday off before opening a three-game road series against the AL Central-leading Chicago White Sox on Tuesday.
Pirates right-hander Bubba Chandler is scheduled to start with a 6-9 record and a 4.03 ERA. Chicago will counter with right-hander Sean Burke, who enters at 8-6 with a 3.20 ERA.
