Paxton (3-5) threw five innings of three-run ball while allowing six hits and a walk and striking out six, but took the loss as opposing starter Gerrit Cole threw a CG.

EDGE Analysis

Although the final score was Pirates 10, Mariners 1, Paxton did his best to keep the game close, and it wasn't until Paxton was yanked that the Pirates broke the game wide open. Paxton continued to flash his newfound velocity, his fastball averaging a blazing 97 mph this season, best of any left-handed starter. But the six strikeouts in five innings were actually better than his season-long rate of 8.4 K:9. He also continued to pound the strike zone, issuing just his 17th free pass of the season in 11 starts. With only 5 home runs allowed on the season, the only explanation for his mediocre 4.27 ERA is his opponent's batting average on balls in play, which sits at .374, the fifth highest in the MLB among pitchers with at least 60 innings pitched.