Pittsburgh Pirates starting pitcher Paul Skenes. Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports

Watch: Paul Skenes benefited from terrible call by umpire

Originally posted on Larry Brown Sports | By Larry Brown | Last updated Aug 22, 2024 10:29 PM ET

Paul Skenes benefited from an extremely favorable call from an umpire on Thursday.

Skenes allowed just two hits and one walk over six scoreless innings in his Pirates’ 7-0 win over the Cincinnati Reds at PNC Park in Pittsburgh.

While facing Amed Rosario in the top of the second, Skenes received a generous call from home plate umpire Larry Vanover to complete a strikeout. Skenes threw a 1-2 fastball that was a good couple of inches outside, but he still received a strike three call.

"Well, thank you very much on that!"

Even the Pirates booth (while laughing) admitted that Paul Skenes got a gift on this brutal strike call from Larry Vanover. pic.twitter.com/AqQ4hEQyah

— Awful Announcing (@awfulannouncing) August 22, 2024

Rosario justifiably couldn’t believe the call. He stood up straight and seemed surprised by the call. Rosario went 1-for-3 in the game with two strikeouts.

Vanover was giving a generous outside corner all game — to both sides.

Paul Skenes, Chalked 100mph pic.twitter.com/dTxdkTKlUO

— Rob Friedman (@PitchingNinja) August 22, 2024

Larry Vanover nails another one.

We're getting fooled by the plate on the broadcast.

The actual plate is in the lefty batter's box. pic.twitter.com/tKNjhQj9fo

— Rob Friedman (@PitchingNinja) August 22, 2024

Vanover probably won’t grade out too well for that performance.

Skenes got the win in the game and is 8-2 with a 2.16 ERA

This article first appeared on Larry Brown Sports and was syndicated with permission.

More must-reads: