Paul Skenes struck out nine batters in six impressive innings, Bryan De La Cruz hit a three-run double during a six-run fifth inning, and the Pittsburgh Pirates won 7-0 against the Cincinnati Reds on Thursday night.
Skenes (8-2), the rookie who started last month’s All-Star game, gave up only two hits and one walk. He had a 1-1 record with a 4.15 ERA in his previous three starts. With 17 starts and 92 innings this season, Skenes has struck out 110 batters.
Having pitched 131 1/3 innings in both the major and minor leagues during his first full professional season, the Pirates might reduce his innings later in September. Despite this, he performed strongly against the Reds.
“I feel good,” Skenes said. “I think we’ve learned as we’ve gone along. But I’m comfortable with the work I’ve put in over the offseason and at the beginning of the season. I think it is paying off.”
Skenes dominated the Reds with his fastball, which reached 100 mph.
“Execution of the four-seam fastball, I think he went back to it, the ability to execute it on both sides of the plate, especially against his arm side away to right-handed hitters,” Pirates manager Derek Shelton said when asked about Skenes’ success.
“I thought he was really good and when he needed a pitch, he was able to go there.”
Ben Heller pitched two innings and Hunter Stratton closed the game in the ninth, completing the five-hit shutout. This was the Pirates’ ninth shutout of the season. The Reds were shut out for the 11th time this season and lost five of their last seven games.
De La Cruz had two doubles and a single. He came into the game with no extra-base hits in 66 plate appearances since being traded from Miami to the Pirates on July 30.
