Skenes Shines, Pirates Win

0:00It's April 1st, from daily matchups to big moments. This is MLB News Today, powered by AI. Paul Schienz bounced back big time for the Pirates, delivering five solid innings against the Reds at Great American Ballpark. After that nightmare opening day where he lasted just two batters and gave up five runs, he held Cincinnati to one run on three hits, fan five. He walked two and threw 77 pitches with 51 strikes. That dropped his season ERA from 67.50 all the way to 9.53 and he handed off a 4-1 lead. Earlier this week, Schienz got roughed up by the Mets and Queens, but the Reds were the perfect matchup to shake it off. He'd been lights out against him before, going 4-0 with a 0.31 ERA over 29 innings and five starts, striking out. 40 and walking just two. No runs allowed since his very first inning against Cincinnati last June. Pirates fans were hyped early thanks to O'Neill Cruz crushing a three run homer in the

1:01first off-read starter, Andrew Avid. That put Pittsburgh up three nothing right away. Giving Schienz some breathing room, Mike on opening day. Cruz's blast went 407 feet, his third of the year and second in the series. The only blimish came in the fourth when Ellie Dayla Cruz ripped a 90.1 mile per hour change up for a single, then scored on Nathaniel, Lowe's double. That snap Schienz 31 innings scoreless streak versus the Reds. Mason Montgomery took over in the sixth to keep the momentum. Pirates roll into their home opener, Friday against the Orioles, with Schienz looking sharp again, setting the tone for a strong bounce back season.