North Shore Nine

The Pittsburgh Pirates won the first game of the homestand tonight by a final of 7-0. Paul Skenes was brilliant on the mound and De La Cruz was amongst standouts offensively. It took the Pirates a few innings to get the offense going but once they did it took off.

It was the Paul Skenes show to start the game, as through the first two innings he struck out four while only allowing one hit. The Pirates decided Lodolo should look as good as Skene. Therefore, through two innings he struck three Bucco’s, while allowing no hits. The third came and went with much the same as both Skens and Lodolo made the opposing hitters look lost at the plate. In the bottom off the 4th with two out Bryan De La Cruz hit a ground-rule double with two outs. However, Oneil Cruz was unable to drive him home becoming the 8th strikeout victim for Lodolo.
Skenes breezed through the top of the 5th again without issue. IN the bottom of the frame a back of walks and a hit by pitch loaded the bases with two outs. Bryan Reynolds was able to single in Jared Triolo giving the Pirates a 1-0 lead. Joey Bart followed that up with a, taking one for the team, moment running to score up to 2-0. De La Cruz then began ingratiation with Pirates fans by clearing the bases with a double. Oneil Cruz the followed it up with a RBI single making it 6-0 Pirates. Connor Joe flew out after Cruz stole 2nd moving the game to the 6th.
Skenes pitched a quick and clean 6th for the Pirates striking out two more. Yasmani Grandal make it 7-0 in the bottom of the frame with a solo shot to center field. In the top of the 7th Ben Heller took over for Skenes on the mound. Heller pitched a scoreless inning for the Pirates. In the bottom of the frame Reynolds started off with a single up the middle. After a fielders choice De La Cruz continued his night singling again putting men on 1st ands 2nd with one out. However, Cruz and Joe both struck out to end the threat.
The Reds threatened in the top of the 8th, getting men on 1st and 3rd with one out. However, a fly-out and a strikeout got the out of the jam. Pirates went meekly in the bottom of the 8th, bringing the game to the top of the 9th. Hunter Stratton came in to pitch the 9th for the Pirates. A leadoff single was quickly erased by an around the infield double play ball. Stratton then got a ground out to preserve the shutout and finish the game.

The Pirates will be back in action again tomorrow. Bailey Falter will be on the rubber for the Pirates with Andrew Abbott going for the Reds. Game time is expected for 6:40 PM EST at PNC park.