Paul Skenes dominated the Reds on Aug 8, 2025, extending his scoreless streak as the Pirates won 7-0. See how the ace made history at PNC Park.
StatPro MLB Beat Reporter
Another night at PNC Park, another masterclass from Paul Skenes. The Pirates' ace was simply untouchable on Thursday, carving up the Cincinnati Reds for six shutout innings to extend his remarkable scoreless streak and lead the Bucs to a resounding 7-0 victory. It was a complete performance that showcased both the present and future of this evolving team.
27 2/3 consecutive scoreless innings for Paul Skenes, who lowered his MLB-best ERA to 1.94.
Paul Skenes is operating on a different plane of existence right now. In a dominant 8-strikeout performance, he baffled Reds hitters and looked every bit the part of a Cy Young frontrunner. The offense gave him all the support he'd need in the very first inning, exploding for a multi-run rally capped by a two-run single from Jared Triolo. The early ambush has become a calling card for this team. Later, solo shots from Bryan Reynolds and Henry Davis provided the insurance, but the night belonged to Skenes, who has now gone nearly a month without allowing a run.
Adding a layer of drama to the night was the return of Ke'Bryan Hayes, who tipped his cap to the crowd before his first at-bat in a Reds uniform. Hayes went 1-for-3, a quiet reminder of a recently closed chapter. His departure at the trade deadline brought in the Pirates' new No. 7 prospect, shortstop Sammy Stafura. While Hayes patrols third for a rival, fans can dream on Stafura's potential, as he's already racked up 28 steals and shown impressive gap power at Single-A Bradenton.
The trade deadline didn't just reshape the infield of the future; it's changing the bullpen right now. With David Bednar and Caleb Ferguson gone, new arms are getting their chance. The latest is reliever Cam Sanders, called up from Indianapolis after posting a stellar 1.91 ERA with 51 strikeouts. His arrival comes as Johan Oviedo, working his way back from Tommy John surgery, was optioned to Triple-A after a tough first outing. It's a clear signal that performance will dictate roles in this revamped bullpen.
After snapping a two-game skid, the Pirates will look to make it two in a row on Friday night. They'll send Mitch Keller (5-10, 3.89 ERA) to the mound, who is aiming for a strong rebound after a shaky start in Colorado. He'll face Reds rookie Chase Burns (0-3, 6.04 ERA), giving the Bucs a prime opportunity to secure the series. Keep an eye on Oneil Cruz, who leads the team with 18 homers and can change the game with one swing.
With Skenes dealing and the offense finding its footing early in games, the Pirates are building momentum. All eyes now turn to Mitch Keller, who will look to follow his ace's lead and secure a series win against a division rival. Another strong performance could solidify this new-look team's post-deadline identity.
