As many Pittsburgh Pirates Fans, LSU gymnast Livvy Dunne would have liked to see her boyfriend Paul Skenes pitch a no-hitter in Thursday's win over the Milwaukee Brewers, but she respects the decision.
On the red carpet before the ESPY Awards, Dunne told Sports Illustrated that seeing the rookie phenom get that close in just his 11th major league start would definitely have been something worthwhile.
Livvy Dunne at the 2024 ESPY Awards held at the Dolby Theatre on July 11, 2024 in Los Angeles, California. (Gilbert Flores/Variety via Getty Images)
But she admitted that she threw it away afterwards Throwing a no-hitter until the seventh inning was the best decision.
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“You know what, it would have been a great accolade to say you threw a no-hitter in your rookie year,” he said. “But also, you've got to make that arm last a long time, so I don't blame them.”
Pittsburgh manager Derek Shelton explained after the game that the decision had less to do with the pitch count and more to do with what Skenes' body said.
“I was tired,” he said. “It really had nothing to do with the pitch count. Everybody does it for the pitch count, it was all about where he was. It was about trusting your eyes, trusting him.”
Pittsburgh Pirates pitcher Paul Skenes (30) pitches against the Milwaukee Brewers in the first inning at American Family Field. (Benny Sieu-USA TODAY Sports)
ROOKIE PHENOMENON PAUL SKENES WAS REMOVED FROM THE NO-HIT OFFER FOR THE SECOND TIME THIS SEASON
“They did a good job of wearing him down,” Shelton continued. “He gave us everything he had.”
Skenes' incredible start to his MLB career has paid off. On Friday, National League manager Torey Lovullo called Skenes during an interview on the “Dan Patrick Show” to tell him he would be the starting pitcher in next week's game.
“You represent so many wonderful things that this game is yearning for. It's a wonderful story. The way you came on the scene, the way you did it with such humility, it's remarkable. And I'm going to be honored to be your manager and I'm going to be honored to watch you throw your first pitch. I'm very excited about that.”
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As Lovullo said, the hype surrounding Skenes is well-deserved, and Dunne couldn't agree more.
Gymnast Livvy Dunne stands on the field after the game between the Pittsburgh Pirates and the San Francisco Giants at PNC Park on May 23, 2024, in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Justin Berl/Getty Images)
“I'm a little biased,” he said when asked if he thought he was the “best pitcher” in the league. “Yeah.”
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