Overview
- Paul Skenes gave up one run over five innings with five strikeouts in an 8-3 win over Cincinnati.
- He left after 77 pitches as the Pirates held him near an 80-pitch plan to build him back up after a 37-pitch Opening Day collapse.
- Oneil Cruz homered to right in the first inning to give Skenes a three-run cushion.
- Nathaniel Lowe’s double ended Skenes’ 31-inning scoreless streak against the Reds, though he is 5-0 with a 0.53 ERA in six starts against them.
- Skenes said he tunes out outside noise and focuses on execution, and his 2.10 ERA through 57 career starts ranks among the best since 1920.