Skenes Bounces Back From Disaster to Dominate Reds, Pirates Get First Win of the Season

Paul Skenes was absolutely brutal last Thursday against the Mets. Like, historically bad. He couldn't even get through one inning, allowing five runs on four hits while retiring just two batters. His season ERA ballooned to a nightmarish 67.50. But Wednesday night in Cincinnati? That was a completely different pitcher.

Skenes (1-1) locked in against the Reds and delivered exactly what the Pirates needed: five strong innings, one run allowed on three hits, five strikeouts, and his first win of the season in an 8-3 victory at Great American Ball Park. He threw 77 pitches (51 strikes) and knocked his ERA down to a more respectable 9.53. The guy came out swinging after that nightmare start, and it showed.

Early Cushion Made All the Difference

Skenes had help right away. Oneil Cruz hammered a three-run homer off Reds starter Andrew Abbott (0-1) in the first inning, giving Pittsburgh a 4-1 lead to work with. That early cushion was huge after what went down against the Mets. Skenes didn't even allow a hit until Elly De La Cruz singled in the fourth, snapping a 31-inning scoreless streak against Cincinnati that dated back to his first career start against them on June 17, 2024.

Coming into Wednesday, Cincinnati looked like the perfect matchup. In five previous starts against the Reds, Skenes was 4-0 with a 0.31 ERA across 29 innings, striking out 40 and walking just two. He hadn't allowed a run against them since that first inning of his first start against them, so the script was written.

The Bullpen Closes It Out

Mason Montgomery came in to start the sixth but immediately gave up a pinch-hit two-run homer to Eugenio Suárez that cut the lead to one. But then Isaac Mattson, Justin Lawrence, and Gregory Soto shut the door, finishing off the final 3 1/3 innings to secure Pittsburgh's first series victory of the season.

Bryan Reynolds added some insurance with a two-run homer in the ninth, his 140th as a Pirate, moving him into sole possession of ninth place all-time in Pirates history.

The Pirates have Thursday off before hosting Baltimore for their home opener Friday afternoon. After that Opening Day disaster, Skenes reminded everyone why he's their ace. This team needed that win bad.

This article was created with AI assistance and reviewed by Seattle On Tap editorial staff. Always verify information with official team sources.