(File Photo: Source for Photo: Pittsburgh Pirates pitcher Paul Skenes delivers during the first inning of a baseball game against the Cincinnati Reds in Pittsburgh, Friday, June 26, 2026. (AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar)

Noah Haswell, Beaver County Radio News

(Pittsburgh, PA) Pittsburgh Pirates pitcher and 2025 National League Cy Young Award winner Paul Skenes reached 500 strikeouts for his career during the fourth inning of the team’s game against the Cincinnati Reds on Friday at PNC Park. Skenes reached the achievement faster than any Pirates pitcher that threw 500 strikeouts did, doing it in 72 starts. He also threw 500 strikeouts the fastest regarding Pirates pitchers since the pitcher’s mound was moved to its current distance back in 1893. Skenes also broke the Pirates franchise record for quickest to 500 strikeouts, passing Bob Veale, who accomplished the feat in 77 starts in 1965.