Skenes allows career-high 3 HRs in Pirates’ loss to Cubs

Paul Skenes lasted only five innings, tying a career-high with four walks in an 8-3 defeat.

As he closes in on a calendar year of being a major-leaguer, Paul Skenes often has embraced the role of stopper for the Pittsburgh Pirates.

Whomever the opponent, whatever the circumstance, the Pirates feel pretty good about their prospects of winning when Skenes is on the mound.

However, in Thursday’s series finale against the Chicago Cubs at PNC Park, Skenes was far from the best version of himself, allo...