.png)
4 months ago
25
Paul Skenes admits he came 'pretty close' to blacking out before throwing his first pitch at the MLB All-Star Game on Tuesday night.
Skenes, who started the annual showpiece in Texas just a few months into his phenomenal rookie season with the Pittsburgh Pirates, dominated in his first All-Star Game with girlfriend Livvy Dunne watching on from the stands.
The 22-year-old pitcher worked around a walk to New York Yankees slugger Juan Soto in a scoreless first inning, despite the National League's eventual 5-3 loss to the American League.
On an individual note, Skenes proved exactly why he is one of the biggest draws in the major leagues already after being selected with the No 1 overall pick at this year's draft.
However, before Tuesday's All-Star Game he almost lost consciousness due to the excitement of playing in it.
Paul Skenes admits he came 'pretty close' to blacking out before the MLB All-Star Game
When asked about how much he was looking forward to the game, Skenes told reporters: 'I don't think I blacked out, but I was pretty close.'
The Pirates right-hander was cheered on by girlfriend Dunne, who arrived with her man on the red carpet before taking a seat in the crowd.
After Skenes' scoreless inning, the TikTok and LSU gymnastics sensation could be seen going wild to celebrate.
Skenes earned his final out of the inning as Aaron Judge grounded out to third base, before he was replaced by pitcher Max Fried in the second.
He is just the fifth rookie pitcher to start an All-Star Game in the showcase's 94-year-history.
The last rookie pitcher to start an All-Star Game was Hideo Nomo, who started while playing for the Dodgers in 1995.
Skenes dominated in his first All-Star Game with girlfriend Livvy Dunne (right) watching on from the stands
The 22-year-old pitcher worked around a walk to New York Yankees slugger Juan Soto in a scoreless first inning
Dunne could be seen cheering her man on in the stands on Fox's live television broadcast
Dunne also wore a T-shirt with her boyfriend's name on it as she watched on alongside her sister Julz and a friend.
At one stage of the evening, she was also mic'd up for Fox's broadcast of the game and could be heard shouting: 'Let's go Paul!'
It came one day after the couple jetted into Texas on a private jet, which the gymnast documented on her TikTok page.
The couple met at LSU, as Skenes starred on the school's baseball team and Dunne on the gymnastics squad.
She recently announced that she'd be returning for a fifth year at the school.
English (US)