Paul Skenes fans 9 through 5 innings as Pirates shut out Reds
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Pittsburgh Pirates' Nick Yorke rounds third base after hitting a solo home run during the fifth inning of a baseball game against the Cincinnati Reds, Sunday, Sept. 22, 2024, in Cincinnati. (AP Photo/Kareem Elgazzar)
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Cincinnati Reds' Hunter Greene delivers a pitch in the first inning of a baseball game against the Pittsburgh Pirates, Sunday, Sept. 22, 2024, in Cincinnati. (AP Photo/Kareem Elgazzar)
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Cincinnati Reds' Jonathan India fields a ground ball hit by Pittsburgh Pirates' Oneil Cruz during the fifth inning of a baseball game Sunday, Sept. 22, 2024, in Cincinnati. (AP Photo/Kareem Elgazzar)
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Pittsburgh Pirates second baseman Nick Gonzales is unable to reach a ground ball hit by Cincinnati Reds' Jonathan India in the first inning of a baseball game Sunday, Sept. 22, 2024, in Cincinnati. (AP Photo/Kareem Elgazzar)
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Cincinnati Reds' Hunter Greene delivers a pitch in the first inning of a baseball game against the Pittsburgh Pirates, Sunday, Sept. 22, 2024, in Cincinnati. (AP Photo/Kareem Elgazzar)
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Pittsburgh Pirates' Paul Skenes delivers a pitch during the first inning of a baseball game Cincinnati Reds, Sunday, Sept. 22, 2024, in Cincinnati. (AP Photo/Kareem Elgazzar)
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Pittsburgh Pirates' Oneil Cruz, right, is congratulated by Andrew McCutchen, left, after hitting a solo home run in the first inning of a baseball game against the Cincinnati Reds, Sunday, Sept. 22, 2024, in Cincinnati. (AP Photo/Kareem Elgazzar)
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Pittsburgh Pirates' Paul Skenes delivers a pitch during the fourth inning of a baseball game against the Cincinnati Reds, Sunday, Sept. 22, 2024, in Cincinnati. (AP Photo/Kareem Elgazzar)
CINCINNATI — Paul Skenes struck out nine and pitched two-hit ball through five innings, leading the Pittsburgh Pirates to a 2-0 win over the Cincinnati Reds on Sunday.
Skenes (11-3) recorded his 16th game with seven or more strikeouts, surpassing Larry McWilliams (1983) for seventh-most by a Pirates starter in a season.
“He's special,” Pirates manager Derek Shelton said. “He continues to evolve. I mean the change-up today was elite. You don't see a guy in his rookie year be able to throw multiple weapons at you and continue to get better.”
In three starts against the Reds, the 22-year-old right-hander has allowed one earned run with 25 strikeouts in 17 innings.
“(Skenes) dominated really," Reds manager David Bell said. "He had a really good change-up. It is kind of the growth from the last time we faced him. That pitch was a difference-maker for him today.”
Skenes lowered his ERA to 1.99, the second-lowest through 22 career starts behind Steve Roger’s 1.95 ERA in 1973-74 with the Montreal Expos.
“He’s got a lot of pitches and throws them for strikes,” Reds first baseman Ty France said. “He throws them where he wants, when he wants.”
Shelton said Skenes was aware that five innings was his limit Sunday. His 73 pitches were a season-low through five innings.
“That’s something I needed to be better at the entire year," Skenes said. “I’m glad that it happened that way today, just better execution in counts.”
Oneil Cruz hit his 21st homer in the first inning and Nick Yorke’s first career homer off Fernando Cruz in the fifth inning gave the Pirates a two-run lead. Pittsburgh won by shutout for the 12th time this season.
Hunter Greene (9-5) made his first start since having his season interrupted by right elbow soreness in mid-August. He pitched three innings and allowed a run on two hits with four strikeouts.
The Reds lost by shutout for the 14th time this season and for the second time when Skenes started.
“Obviously, the third time seeing them, you gotta get them out in different ways than you have in the past," Skenes said. “We did a good job adjusting to that today.”
Former Reds closer Aroldis Chapman stuck out two batters in the ninth and earned his 11th save.
Pirates: LHP Bailey Falter (8-8, 4.15 ERA) will face the Milwaukee Brewers in the opener of a three-game series Tuesday.
