Paul Skenes Bounces Back Hard and the Reds Had No Answer For It
Paul Skenes needed this one. After a rough season opener, the Pirates' ace came out firing Wednesday afternoon and led Pittsburgh to an 8-3 win over Cincinnati, proving he's ready to carry the load this season.
Skenes Finds His Form
It wasn't pretty out of the gates for Skenes, but that's exactly why Wednesday mattered. He bounced back from his rocky debut and took control against the Reds in a way that reminds you why the Pirates are counting on him. This is the kind of response you need to see from a guy expected to anchor your rotation.
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Oneil Cruz is already making noise early. He crushed a home run off Reds starter, his second straight day going yard. That's the kind of consistency that changes games, and he was a huge part of Pittsburgh's offensive output. Eight runs is plenty to work with when your pitcher is locked in.
Pirates Rolling
This win moves Pittsburgh past a shaky start and shows they can put together the kind of performance you need to build momentum in April. Skenes bouncing back combined with Cruz's power stroke gives the Pirates a legitimate foundation to build on as the season unfolds.
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