Pirates Shut Out Reds 7-0 in Series Opener

The Pittsburgh Pirates dominated the Cincinnati Reds with a 7-0 victory, showcasing a standout performance from rookie pitcher Paul Skenes, who struck out nine and pitched six scoreless innings. Bryan De La Cruz also made a significant impact, hitting a ground-rule double and a bases-clearing double to contribute three RBIs. The win marked the Pirates' ninth shutout of the season, improving their record to 60-67, while the Reds fell to 62-66. Skenes, currently a favorite for the National League Rookie of the Year, has a season record of 8-2 with a 2.30 ERA. This match was part of a four-game series in which both teams are looking to improve their standings in the NL Central. The Pirates had previously struggled but showed signs of recovery with strong pitching performances in their recent games.