Paul Skenes and Shohei Ohtani trade feats of baseball awesomeness

The first meeting between Shohei Ohtani and Paul Skenes has lived up to expectations

Paul Skenes is coming off his second MLB win, a six-inning outing against the Detroit Tigers back on May 29th where he allowed just a pair of runs in the Pittsburgh Pirates’ 10-2 win. But on Wednesday night he faced a much different challenge, as the Pirates welcomed Shohei Ohtani and company to PNC Park.

In the first inning at least, it was not much of a contest.

After Skenes struck out Mookie Betts to open the game, using three 100+ mph fastballs and a vicious slider, it was time for the first meeting between the hard-throwing hurler and Ohtani.

Advantage, Skenes.

It did not take long for Ohtani to make the same walk back to the dugout Betts did. Skenes delivered three-straight 100+ mph fastballs to the two-time American League MVP, and Ohtani swung and missed on all three:

However, Skenes did not have the same success the next time Ohtani dug into the box, in the top of the third.

With a runner on first base and two outs, Ohtani worked the count full, letting a 100 mph fastball on the inside corner go on a 2-2 count for ball three. Skenes brought the heat once more, going upstairs with a 101 mph fastball.

Ohtani somehow managed to turn on it:

To get his hands around and launch that fastball to dead center? Just incredible.

I think I speak for everyone when I suggest that these two go head-to-head at this year’s All Star Game.