ATLANTA — For the second time this week, Paul Skenes provided his team with a quality start, allowing just one run against a lineup familiar to the postseason. And once again, the Pittsburgh Pirates hitters and bullpen failed to make the most of their star rookie’s efforts, losing 2-1 on a walk-off single from Adam Duvall in the bottom of the 10th inning.

For six innings, Skenes and Braves ace Max Fried battled pitch for pitch, both allowing one earned run on six hits. Both teams turned the game over to their bullpens in the seventh, who kept the score tied at one until Duvall’s heroics.

Derek Shelton’s club had an opportunity to take its first lead in the top half of the 10th inning, as Edward Olivares began the frame in scoring position. After moving to third base on a grounder, Olivares took a gamble by breaking for home on a wild pitch with one out and Ke’Bryan Hayes at the plate.

Olivares was originally ruled safe on a bang-bang play at the plate. The call, however, was overturned after a review showed that Braves reliever Daysbel Hernandez, the game’s winning pitcher, tagged Olivares on the helmet before his lead foot reached home.

On the mound

For the second time in as many games, Skenes' outing began with him surrendering a leadoff homer. Unlike Sunday’s to Yandy Diaz, which was heavily aided by wind blowing out to right field, Jarred Kelenic got every piece of a fastball Skenes left over the plate to give the Braves a 1-0 lead.

Skenes was far from his best self in Atlanta, especially in the early going where he needed 70 pitches to get through his first four frames. But despite now having his A-grade stuff, the Pirates rookie found a way to dance out of every jam he faced.

Marcell Ozuna, who entered Saturday leading the National League in RBIs, helped Skenes tremendously by hitting into a pair of double plays. Skenes also helped himself in the later innings, using his four-seam fastball to get a few key strikeouts with runners on base.

Skenes’ final inning of work was his best, striking out the side to end the bottom of the sixth. The 22-year-old righty finished with nine strikeouts, six coming from his fastball. The outing marked his seventh quality start in nine career big league outings. His season ERA is down to 2.06.

At the plate

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