Pittsburgh Pirates starting pitcher Paul Skenes. Katie Stratman-Imagn Images

Why Paul Skenes' rebound start in win over Reds made Pirates history

By Mike J. Asti | Last updated Apr 2, 2026 12:12 PM ET

Rebounding from a rough Opening Day, Paul Skenes pitched to success on Wednesday as the Pittsburgh Pirates beat the Cincinnati Reds to even up the team's early-season record at 3-3.

Skenes pitched five innings, giving up just one run and four hits en route to his first win of 2026, evening up his personal record at 1-1. Unlike most of his 2025 Cy Young season, Skenes received run support and the Pirates won the game 8-3.

Paul Skenes made history in his win over the Reds

But in typical Skenes fashion, he made history that extends way beyond how he's pitched so far this season. The two-time All-Star, earning the right to start the Midsummer Classic in both seasons of his MLB career to date, didn't give up the one run he allowed to Cincinnati until the fourth inning, extending a scoreless streak he had going against the Reds to a new high bar for the franchise against one team.

Dating back last season, Skenes posted 31 consecutive innings without allowing a run against the Reds, which is now the longest streak of innings any Pirates pitcher has registered without allowing a run to one team in the last 60 years.

Paul Skenes went 31 consecutive innings without allowing a run against the Reds

That's the longest streak by a Pirates pitcher against one opponent in the last 60 seasons. pic.twitter.com/7ptXwRoj0i
— ESPN Insights (@ESPNInsights) April 1, 2026

Skenes has victimized the Reds more than any other franchise

Skenes doing this to the Reds makes them one of his biggest victims of his career so far. Out of 22 career wins, Skenes has five over the Reds. He also 45 strikeouts and a 0.53 ERA in 34 innings against Cincinnati, the second most innings he's thrown against a single team overall.

And while Skenes hasn't appeared as dominant as he was throughout his first two seasons in his two starts in 2026, his most recent outing and his track record should give Pirates fans plenty of comfort that he will end up with another All-Star caliber season. He may even win more games now that Pittsburgh has a more potent lineup around him, too.

Mike J. Asti

Mike Asti is an experienced media personality and journalist with a vast resume and skillset, most notably from time with TribLIVE Radio and WPXI-TV. Asti now serves as the Managing Editor of WV Sports Now, where he leads the coverage of WVU sports. He has also covered the Steelers, Penguins, Pirates and other teams within the Pittsburgh market

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