Paul Skenes pitched six shutout innings for the second consecutive start to lead the host Pittsburgh Pirates to a 6-0 victory over the Arizona Diamondbacks on Sunday afternoon.

Skenes (6-8) gave up three hits, walked one and struck out nine on 99 pitches to lead the Pirates to the series victory and second consecutive shutout win over the Diamondbacks, who lost for the fifth time in their past six games.

Arizona was shut out in back-to-back games for the first time this season after being shut out only three times prior. It was Pittsburgh’s 13th shutout this year. The Pirates allowed only one run in three games against the Diamondbacks, and that came in the 11th inning with the automatic runner in play in Friday’s 1-0 loss.

It’s the only run Pittsburgh pitchers have allowed in 30 of their past 31 innings pitched.

Skenes has not allowed a run in 13 consecutive innings, and lowered his ERA to 1.83 — the lowest in the majors.

After Sunday’s start, Skenes lowered his career ERA to 1.89 over his first 266 career innings. It’s the lowest by any pitcher in the Live Ball era (since 1920) over his first 45 career starts.

Oneil Cruz finished with two hits, including a double, and two RBIs; Tommy Pham had two hits and an RBI and Bryan Reynolds had an RBI double to lead Pittsburgh at the plate.

Diamondbacks starter Zac Gallen (7-12) allowed all four Pirates runs on five hits and one walk while striking out five over six innings.

Jake McCarthy led Arizona with two hits, including a one-out triple in the top of the second inning. Skenes then struck out James McCann and induced an inning-ending pop-up from Alek Thomas.

McCarthy doubled with one out in the fourth to put runners on second and third. Skenes responded by striking out McCann and Thomas back-to-back.

The loss was the latest damaging defeat for Arizona, which is already active before Thursday’s trade deadline. The Diamondbacks traded outfielder Randal Grichuk to Kansas City late Saturday for right-hander Andrew Hoffmann.

–Field Level Media