Paul Skenes, Pirates shut out Reds, spoil Ke'Bryan Hayes' PNC Park return

Colin Beazley, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette on Aug 7, 2025

Published in Baseball

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PITTSBURGH — Paul Skenes allowed a career-high seven hits on Thursday night. He left to a standing ovation, with a shutout still intact.

Skenes allowed five singles and two doubles in six innings, but never allowed a runner past second base in a 7-0 win against the Cincinnati Reds on Thursday at PNC Park. Three relievers completed the shutout, the Pirates’ 14th shutout win of the season.

Skenes struck out eight. He hasn’t allowed a run at home since June 8, a run of 27 2/3 consecutive innings.

The Pirates jumped on Cincinnati starter Brady Singer early. Right fielder Bryan Reynolds hit a first inning homer, his first homer since June 29, then a clearly rattled Singer walked the next three hitters. Shortstop Jared Triolo scored two with a single up the middle.

Singer lasted just 3 2/3 innings, allowing six hits and four earned runs. He walked four and struck out two.

The Pirates tacked on a run in the fourth, another in the sixth and two more in the seventh. Relievers Cam Sanders, Ryan Borucki and Kyle Nicolas finished the shutout.

Third baseman Ke’Bryan Hayes returned to PNC Park for the first time since being traded. He was honored with a video and warmly applauded before his first at-bat, then promptly singled off Skenes. He finished the game 1 for 3.

It was over when …

Catcher Henry Davis hit his first homer in two months in the seventh, a two-run blast off Reds reliever Brent Suter. Davis entered the game on a 1 for 39 skid, dating back to July 9. He went 2 for 3 with two runs and two RBIs on Thursday.

On the mound

Skenes allowed a hit in five of his six innings, but consistently pitched out of trouble. He allowed two singles in the first, then induced a double play. He allowed two more in the third, then struck out Reds shortstop Elly De La Cruz. He allowed a one-out double in the fourth and a two-out double in the fifth — then used three strikeouts (two in the fourth, another in the fifth) to escape unscathed.

At the plate

The Pirates had 10 hits and left 11 runners on base. Every Pirate reached base at least once.

Reynolds went 2 for 4 with a single, a homer and a walk. Triolo was 2 for 4 and reached on an error. Designated hitter Andrew McCutchen reached base four times, all on walks.

Most valuable player

Skenes. His ERA briefly rose above two with one bad inning in Colorado, but it is once again at 1.94.

Up next

The Pirates and Reds continue their four-game series at 6:40 p.m. ET Friday. Mitch Keller (5-10, 3.89 ERA) will pitch for the Pirates. He has a 4-0 record in his last seven starts. The Reds will start rookie Chase Burns (0-3, 6.04) who is looking for his first career win.

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