Cruz homers, Skenes returns to form as Pirates take series with win over Reds
It feels really good, honestly, you know, it’s something I kind of, uh, dreamed of when I was 9 years old, you know, um, it’s *** great award, but um. Yeah, that’s in the past now and today we have the Pittsburgh Pirates so, um, I’m gonna go out there and play hard for my team and help the team win. So, um, obviously it’s great and I’m super proud of myself, but, uh, that’s in the past now and now it’s time to go out there and play against the Pirates. Um, I just feel like I was swinging at good pitches and um sticking to my approach and my game plan, so, um. Obviously I was *** great it was *** great weekend, but I just gotta keep doing that every day and um sticking to who I am as *** player. So um I’m happy with how I played, but more importantly, I’m happy that uh that we got the series win. So that’s *** good Boston team, um, and I’m happy that we got the series win. I just try to be who I am. You know, um, it’s nice to know that the guys that have my back and, uh, that’s super big, and that’s super big for me as *** player, um, and like I said, you know, the, this, this clubhouse and this group of guys, man, I’ve never been around someone like this, so, um, they’re great players and great teammates, and I’m, I’m, I’m having *** great time, and, um, yeah, I couldn’t speak more highly than, uh, than the guys in the clubhouse.
Cruz homers, Skenes returns to form as Pirates take series with win over Reds
Updated: 4:10 PM EDT Apr 1, 2026
Oneil Cruz had a three-run homer, his third in two games, Paul Skenes allowed one run in five innings and the Pittsburgh Pirates defeated the Cincinnati Reds 8-3 on Wednesday to take the three-game series.Bryan Reynolds had a two-run shot, and Nick Gonzales added a two-run double during the ninth inning.Eugenio Suárez had a pinch-hit, two-run homer in the sixth inning for the Reds.Cruz went 5 for 13 with three home runs and six RBIs in the series. The power-hitting outfielder has gone deep nine times in the 19 games he has played in Cincinnati.Reds starter Andrew Abbott (0-1) retired the first two Pirates hitters before Bryan Reynolds singled to right and Marcell Ozuna drew a walk. Cruz then connected on a 2-1 curveball that was over the bottom part of the plate and drove it 407 feet over the wall in right field.Skenes (1-1) returned to his All-Star form after giving up five runs in two-thirds of an inning last Thursday in the season opener against the New York Mets. The reigning NL Cy Young winner allowed three hits, walked two and struck out five.The right-hander gave up two walks in the first three innings before Elly De La Cruz led off the fourth with a base hit to right. Two batters later, Nathaniel Lowe had an RBI double to right-center, snapping the Reds’ 31-inning scoreless streak against Skenes.Pittsburgh took a 4-1 lead in the sixth when Cruz scored after Spencer Horwitz was walked by Connor Phillips with the bases loaded.Suárez got the Reds within a run in the bottom of the sixth with a two-run homer to left, his second of the season.Up nextPirates: Have their home opener on Friday against Baltimore. RHP Mitch Keller (0-0, 0.00 ERA) gets the start.Reds: Open a seven-game road trip on Friday against Texas. RHP Brady Singer (0-0, 6.75 ERA) makes his second start.
CINCINNATI —
Oneil Cruz had a three-run homer, his third in two games, Paul Skenes allowed one run in five innings and the Pittsburgh Pirates defeated the Cincinnati Reds 8-3 on Wednesday to take the three-game series.
Bryan Reynolds had a two-run shot, and Nick Gonzales added a two-run double during the ninth inning.
Eugenio Suárez had a pinch-hit, two-run homer in the sixth inning for the Reds.
Cruz went 5 for 13 with three home runs and six RBIs in the series. The power-hitting outfielder has gone deep nine times in the 19 games he has played in Cincinnati.
Reds starter Andrew Abbott (0-1) retired the first two Pirates hitters before Bryan Reynolds singled to right and Marcell Ozuna drew a walk. Cruz then connected on a 2-1 curveball that was over the bottom part of the plate and drove it 407 feet over the wall in right field.
Skenes (1-1) returned to his All-Star form after giving up five runs in two-thirds of an inning last Thursday in the season opener against the New York Mets. The reigning NL Cy Young winner allowed three hits, walked two and struck out five.
The right-hander gave up two walks in the first three innings before Elly De La Cruz led off the fourth with a base hit to right. Two batters later, Nathaniel Lowe had an RBI double to right-center, snapping the Reds’ 31-inning scoreless streak against Skenes.
Pittsburgh took a 4-1 lead in the sixth when Cruz scored after Spencer Horwitz was walked by Connor Phillips with the bases loaded.
Suárez got the Reds within a run in the bottom of the sixth with a two-run homer to left, his second of the season.
Up next
Pirates: Have their home opener on Friday against Baltimore. RHP Mitch Keller (0-0, 0.00 ERA) gets the start.
Reds: Open a seven-game road trip on Friday against Texas. RHP Brady Singer (0-0, 6.75 ERA) makes his second start.