Paul Skenes dazzles in his first start since the All-Star Game as the Pirates blank the Tigers 3-0

PITTSBURGH (AP) — Paul Skenes allowed three hits over six efficient innings and the Pittsburgh Pirates beat the Detroit Tigers 3-0 on Monday night.

Skenes (5-8), who last week became the first pitcher to start the All-Star game in each of the first two years of his career, struck out six, walked one and a hit batter to pick up his first victory since late May.

The 23-year-old lowered his ERA to a major league-best 1.91 as Pittsburgh responded from a weekend sweep at home by the lowly Chicago White Sox by keeping the team that entered Monday with the best record in the majors in check.

The Pirates did enough against Jack Flaherty (5-10) to give Skenes a bit of breathing room, a rarity during Pittsburgh's frustrating season.

Spencer Horwitz had three hits for the Pirates, including a run-scoring single in the second. Bryan Reynolds hit a two-run single two batters later, and Skenes and three relievers made it hold up. David Bednar worked the ninth for his 14th save.

Parker Meadows doubled for Detroit, which has dropped seven of eight but still has a double-digit lead in the AL Central. Flaherty lasted three innings and is winless in his last seven starts.

The closest Detroit came to scoring against Skenes came in the third when the Tigers' first two batters reached. A fly ball, a fielder's choice, and a strikeout on a 99 mph fastball later, Skenes was back in the dugout.

Pirates designated hitter Andrew McCutchen recorded his 2,233rd career hit on a single in the fourth inning, moving past Hall of Famer Willie Stargell and into 180th on MLB's hit list.

Detroit's Casey Mize (9-3, 3.15 ERA) will try to reach 10 wins for the first time in his career on Tuesday when he faces Pittsburgh's Mitch Keller (3-10, 3.48).

AP MLB: https://apnews.com/MLB

Detroit Tigers pitcher Jack Flaherty delivers during the first inning of a baseball game against the Pittsburgh Pirates in Pittsburgh, Monday, July 21, 2025. (AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar)

Detroit Tigers outfielder Parker Meadows leaps to make a catch at the centerfield wall on a fly ball hit by Pittsburgh Pirates' Henry Davis off pitcher Jack Flaherty during the second inning of a baseball game in Pittsburgh, Monday, July 21, 2025. (AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar)

Pittsburgh Pirates' Spencer Horwitz, right, and Isiah Kiner-Falefa (7) celebrate after scoring on a single by Bryan Reynolds off Detroit Tigers pitcher Jack Flaherty during the second inning of a baseball game in Pittsburgh, Monday, July 21, 2025. (AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar)

Pittsburgh Pirates pitcher Paul Skenes delivers during the first inning of a baseball game against the Detroit Tigers in Pittsburgh, Monday, July 21, 2025. (AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar)

Pittsburgh Pirates pitcher Paul Skenes delivers during the first inning of a baseball game against the Detroit Tigers in Pittsburgh, Monday, July 21, 2025. (AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar)

SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — Shai Gilgeous-Alexander had 30 points and seven assists, and the Oklahoma City Thunder dominated the short-handed Golden State Warriors for a 131-94 win Friday night.

Stephen Curry sat out because of a left ankle sprain and backcourt mate Jimmy Butler became ill earlier in the day. Draymond Green rested, while Jonathan Kuminga missed the game with back soreness.

That left Steve Kerr's starting lineup as Brandin Podziemski, Moses Moody, Will Richard, Gui Santos and Quinten Post.

Kerr was optimistic Curry would play Saturday against the Jazz.

Gilgeous-Alexander shot 10 for 20 with three 3-pointers and converted all seven of his free throws for his seventh game in the last nine with 30 or more points — and now three straight. He had 38 points on 13-for-21 shooting with five 3-pointers in the last matchup against the Warriors.

Chet Holmgren contributed 15 points and a season-best 15 rebounds — two off his career high — as Oklahoma City (30-5) won a fourth straight following its first two-game skid of the season.

Richard had 13 points and five rebounds, Al Horford and Moody also scored 13 while Pat Spencer dished out 11 assists against the defending champion Thunder, who had lost their previous two road games but also won 124-112 at Golden State exactly a month earlier on Dec. 2.

Richard's 3-pointer with 7:19 left in the second quarter got Golden State within 38-36 before Oklahoma City answered with a 19-0 run to go ahead 64-45 at halftime.

The Warriors had won two straight, five of six and three in a row at home, where they are in a stretch with 10 of 11 at Chase Center.

Thunder: Visit Phoenix on Sunday.

Warriors: Host Utah on Saturday night to complete a back-to-back.

AP NBA: https://apnews.com/NBA

Golden State Warriors forward Gui Santos (15) is fouled by Oklahoma City Thunder guard Alex Caruso (9) during the first half of an NBA basketball game, Friday, Jan. 2, 2026, in San Francisco. (AP Photo/Godofredo A. Vásquez)

Golden State Warriors guard Brandin Podziemski (2) shoots a 3-point basket during the first half of an NBA basketball game against the Oklahoma City Thunder, Friday, Jan. 2, 2026, in San Francisco. (AP Photo/Godofredo A. Vásquez)

Oklahoma City Thunder center Chet Holmgren (7) dunks during the first half of an NBA basketball game against the Golden State Warriors, Friday, Jan. 2, 2026, in San Francisco. (AP Photo/Godofredo A. Vásquez)

Oklahoma City Thunder center Chet Holmgren (7) shoots while defended by Golden State Warriors center Trayce Jackson-Davis (32) during the first half of an NBA basketball game, Friday, Jan. 2, 2026, in San Francisco. (AP Photo/Godofredo A. Vásquez)

Oklahoma City Thunder guard Luguentz Dort (5) celebrates after making a 3-point basket during the first half of an NBA basketball game against the Golden State Warriors, Friday, Jan. 2, 2026, in San Francisco. (AP Photo/Godofredo A. Vásquez)