Pittsburgh Pirates ace Paul Skenes is already rewriting the history books in his young MLB career, but Wednesday night he came within inches of etching his name into the record books in a whole new way.

The reigning Cy Young winner delivered what might be the most dominant start of his already legendary career, leading the Pirates to a 1-0 victory over the Arizona Diamondbacks at Chase Field. For seven of the eight innings he pitched, Skenes was absolutely perfect—retiring batter after batter with surgical precision.

"I'd be lying if I said it didn't go through my mind," Pirates manager Don Kelly admitted, referring to the possibility of a perfect game or no-hitter.

Skenes was untouchable, mixing a blazing 98-mph four-seam fastball with a devastating changeup, sinker, and sweeper that left Diamondbacks hitters swinging at air. He generated 13 swings and misses, struck out seven batters using three different pitches, and retired 13 hitters on three pitches or fewer. In three separate innings, he needed just nine pitches or fewer to get through the frame.

The only blemish on his night came with two outs in the sixth inning, when Lourdes Gurriel Jr. hit a slow roller that traveled just 50.8 mph off the bat. Skenes fielded it cleanly but his throw to first base was just wide of the bag, resulting in an infield single. That was one of only two baserunners he allowed all night.

"I thought there were times that every pitch was working," Skenes said with characteristic poise. "But they weren't at the same time, unfortunately. I was happy with it. We were executing our pitches."

Skenes set down the first 15 batters he faced with such dominance that only three balls even reached the outfield, and none required anything beyond a routine play. He retired the final 10 batters he faced, striking out the side in his last inning of work.

"I don't know what else to say," Kelly said, shaking his head in amazement, "but he was unbelievable."

For Pirates fans and baseball purists alike, watching Skenes take the mound has become must-see television. And if this start is any indication, the record books may need updating sooner rather than later.