Pirates Sweep Reds, Offense Roars

0:00It's April 1st, from first pitch to the final out. This is MLB News today, powered by AI. I'm Cory with the story. The Pittsburgh Pirates just grabbed their first series win of the 2026 season, sweeping the reds with back-to-back 8-to-3. Victory is a March 31st in April 1st at Great American Ballpark. That puts them at three wins and three losses, even at 500, after a slow start where they barely scored early on. Now their bats are roaring, with 16 runs over the last 18 innings and 6 homers, tying them for first in baseball with 10 long balls. Paul Schien's bounce back big time from his rough opening day meltdown against the meds. The C-Young winner from last year went five strong innings against Cincinnati, striking out five, scattering just a few hits, and dropping his ERA. From 67.50 to 9.53. He mixed his four-seam fastball at 97.6 miles per hour with change-ups and sinkers, looking

1:01like the ace everyone expected. O'Neill Cruz is delivering the power of the Pirates crave, smashing a three-run homer in the first inning of Game 2 off a curveball, then adding another, for two dingers in the series. That ties him for the team lead with three on the year, and he's already crushing lefties after offseason work, going four for six with two bombs. Brian Reynolds joined the party too, belting his second homer in two games to climb into 9th on the Pirates all-time list with 140. In the 9th, with a slim 4-3 lead, Nick Gonzalez ripped a two-run single to spark a four-run rally, while Reynolds kept it with a two-run, shot for the final 8-3 margin. The bullpin wobbled early, giving up a two-run homer, but guys like Isaac Mattsin, Justin Lawrence and Gregory Soto, locked it down with scoreless. Frames Pirates fans can breathe easier now. The offense ranks top 10 in hits, RBI's, runs and walks, and skeens is steadying the staff. Momentum's building early, this team might surprise folks if they keep the heat on.