The Pittsburgh Pirates are playing good baseball, and they’re having a good time doing it. After dropping the first two games of the season, they’ve won three of their last four. On Wednesday, they took the final game of their series against the Cincinnati Reds, 8-3. 

Paul Skenes bounced back from a rough start on opening day, earning the win after throwing five innings of one-run baseball. He struck out five hitters on 77 pitches. His four-seam was particularly dominant, posting an 18% swinging strike rate and returning three outs on balls in play. 

There was an energy in the clubhouse after the game, with the Pirates riding the high of the victory before traveling to Pittsburgh for their home opener against the Baltimore Orioles. Skenes, who turns 24 at the end of May, was at the center of the action. 

“It’s been awesome,” Skenes said. “We knew coming into spring training that we added some good pieces, and now, getting to know them, [Jake] Mangum, I still don’t know about him. Ordering a cake for yourself? That’s a little weird.”

It’s fitting that on April Fools’ Day, Skenes referenced a prank he played on the newly acquired outfielder during Spring Training, in which he bought Mangum a birthday cake, but made it seem like Mangum purchased the cake for himself.

During the interview, Mangum chimed in, saying he had Skenes’ birthday on his calendar as a reminder to purchase a cake. He had the wrong date, but said he already had a cake picked out. 

“Hell yeah, I get a cake,” Skenes laughed. “I just hope it’s chocolate.” 

New additions to the Pirates have been key to their success this season. Brandon Lowe leads the team with three home runs, while Ryan O’Hearn leads with six runs batted in. While there’s still plenty of season to go, the Pirates are off to a solid start and are having fun in the process. 

More MLB: How Bryan Reynolds Reacted To Pirates’ Series-Winning Victory Over Reds