The Pirates’ Paul Skenes struck out Juan Soto and Aaron Judge with dirty pitches

In the final start of his impressive rookie season, Pittsburgh Pirates starting pitcher Paul Skenes went out with a bang Saturday at Yankee Stadium.

Against New York Yankees sluggers Juan Soto and Aaron Judge in the bottom of the first inning, the Pirates rookie put on a show.

First, he got the normally patient Soto to foul on the offense’s first two throws. On the fifth and final shot attempt, Skenes caught Soto with a nasty shot on the black.

Skenes then struck out with a fastball and a slider against the presumptive American League MVP in Aaron Judge. After Judge received a ball and fouled off fourth down, the Pirates rookie got Judge to chase a sweeper that broke out of the zone.

Really impressive stuff.

And if that wasn’t impressive enough, Skenes, who was taken off the field after two perfect innings, struck out Yankees infielder Jazz Chisholm Jr. with perhaps his best pitch of the day – and his last of the season.

How on earth are you supposed to take a hit from this guy?