Pirates beat Reds 1-0 on Aug 7 as Reynolds homers & Skenes shines. See how the Bucs' future spoiled Ke'Bryan Hayes' emotional return to Pittsburgh.
StatPro MLB Beat Reporter
It was a strange and emotionally charged night at PNC Park. Seeing Ke'Bryan Hayes, the man who was supposed to lock down the hot corner for a decade, trot out in Cincinnati red was a gut punch. But as the past stared back from the visitor's dugout, the Pirates offered a compelling glimpse of the future, grinding out a 1-0 victory that felt like a blueprint for a new era.
It feels good. To be in contention, especially late in the year.
The game itself was a nail-biter, decided almost as soon as it began. Bryan Reynolds ambushed the Reds with a solo home run in the first inning, and that was all the offense the Pirates would need or get. From there, it was a showcase of pitching and defense. Paul Skenes was sharp in his outing, delivering a scoreless inning with a strikeout and lowering his ERA to a sparkling 2.01. The bullpen then took the baton and never let go, slamming the door shut to preserve the shutout and secure a series-opening win.
Of course, much of the night's focus was on Hayes. The former Gold Glover acknowledged the trade wasn't a total shock, but his presence in the other dugout was still surreal. He's chasing a playoff spot, something he never got to do in Pittsburgh, and his excitement was palpable. 'It feels good. To be in contention,' he said, a quote that stings for a fanbase that dreamed of him leading their own playoff charge. Manager Don Kelly admitted the sight was unusual, a stark reminder of the tough decisions that define a rebuild.
As one third baseman departed, another has stepped up. Isiah Kiner-Falefa, a player many expected to be dealt at the deadline, is now the primary man at the hot corner. In stark contrast to Hayes' departure, IKF expressed his desire to stick around. 'I really want to be a part of it when this organization wins,' he stated, endearing himself to the fanbase. His versatility allows the Pirates to give extended looks to younger middle infielders like Liover Peguero and Jared Triolo, a key part of the evaluation process for 2026.
If trading a player like Hayes is the cost of a rebuild, the reward is a stacked farm system. The Pirates' system now ranks No. 4 in all of baseball, thanks to an influx of talent from the deadline. Prospects like catcher Eduardo Tait, outfielder Hendry Mendez, and pitcher Ryan Gallagher have added significant depth, joining a top tier that already includes potential franchise cornerstone Konnor Griffin and promising arms like Bubba Chandler and Hunter Barco. This is the hope that fans are asked to buy into—a future built on a deep, talented pipeline.
Thursday's win wasn't just another game in the standings; it was a snapshot of the Pirates' journey. It was the pain of seeing a former hero thrive elsewhere, the grit of a hard-fought win powered by the current core, and the promise of a future stocked with elite talent. The road to contention is long, but nights like this—where the plan is visible on the field and on paper—make the wait a little more hopeful.
