The Pirates’ loss came despite having ace pitcher Paul Skenes on the mound, and going up against Phillies rookie Mick Abel, who was making the first MLB start of his career. Whi

PHILADELPHIA — Mick Abel stayed under control in his major league debut. Abel outdueled Paul Skenes, striking out nine over six innings to lead Philadelphia over the Pittsburgh Pirates 1-0 Sunday for a three-game sweep and the Phillies’ 15th win in 20 games.

Then came Sunday: the Phillies' first chance to see Abel on a major-league mound, and their first chance to face Skenes since his own call-up last summer and ensuing meteoric rise. The Phillies prevailed in a memorable pitcher's duel, 1-0.