Skenes Dominant as Pirates Cruise Past Reds Behind Cruz’s Slugging

Paul Skenes arrived in Cincinnati on Wednesday looking to prove the Pittsburgh Pirates made the right call bringing him back home, and he delivered exactly what they needed. The young ace scattered three hits over 5.0 innings, struck out five, and walked just two to earn his first win of 2026. This wasn’t a dazzling strikeout display, but it was efficient, composed, and most importantly, it got the job done against a Reds lineup that never found its rhythm.

That’s because the Pirates came out swinging from the opening pitch, and frankly, the game was decided before the Reds ever had a chance to mount a serious threat. Oneil Cruz, who has quietly become one of baseball’s most underrated sluggers, launched a three-run blast off Andrew Abbott in the first inning that immediately set the tone. The Pirates didn’t just want to win this game, they wanted to embarrass the Reds on their home field, and for most of Wednesday afternoon, they accomplished exactly that.

Abbott was pedestrian at best, allowing four runs in 5.2 innings while walking three and striking out five. For a Reds rotation that’s supposed to be a cornerstone of their rebuild, this was yet another disappointing outing. Cincinnati couldn’t string together consistent at-bats, couldn’t capitalize on scoring opportunities, and ultimately looked overmatched by a Pirates team that showed far more aggression and precision.

Cruz and Reynolds Provide All the Firepower Pittsburgh Needs

If you want to understand why the Pirates are built for contention, look no further than Wednesday’s performance from their two best hitters. Cruz went 2-for-5 with three RBIs, while Reynolds was 2-for-5 with two RBIs, including a two-run blast in the ninth inning that essentially put the game completely out of reach. These are the kinds of performances that win baseball games in April, and more importantly, set the tone for what could be a special season in Pittsburgh.

The Reds managed to score three runs, with Eugenio Suarez providing the only real spark with a two-run pinch-hit homer in the sixth. But even that moment felt like a consolation prize. This game was never competitive, and by the time the ninth inning rolled around, both teams were playing for pride and the box score.

Pittsburgh Flexes Muscle in Wake of Opening Week

The Pirates made a statement on Wednesday afternoon. They proved that early early-season performances weren’t flukes, that they have legitimate offensive weapons, and that Skenes can be a reliable workhorse at the back of their rotation. Yes, it’s only April 1st, and yes, there’s plenty of baseball left to play. But performances like this matter. They build confidence. They establish a winning culture.

Cincinnati, meanwhile, heads back to the drawing board. Abbott needs to locate his fastball better. The lineup needs to show more discipline at the plate. And frankly, this team needs to prove it can compete with the elite clubs in the National League. Wednesday at Great American Ball Park was not that day.

The Pirates won 8-3, and they did it decisively. In baseball, that matters.