Rookie Paul Skenes was at it again for the Pittsburgh Pirates, tossing six strong innings in a 4-1 win over the visiting Cincinnati Reds on Monday to open a three-game series.

Oneil Cruz drove in two runs and Bryan Reynolds had two doubles and one RBI for the Pirates. Reynolds extend his hitting streak to 15 games, which is the longest active streak in the majors.

Skenes (4-0) allowed one run on six hits with one walk and seven strikeouts. Aroldis Chapman and Colin Holderman each pitched a scoreless inning before David Bednar retired the Reds in order in the ninth for his 15th save.

Elly De La Cruz had three hits and stole his major-league-leading 37th base for Cincinnati, which entered the game tied with the Pirates for third place in the National League Central. The Reds have lost three straight and five of their last seven

Cincinnati took a brief 1-0 lead in the first inning when Jeimer Candelario singled with two outs, stole second base, and scored on Spencer Steer’s double.

Pittsburgh responded with three runs in the bottom of the first inning against Carson Spiers (0-1). Andrew McCutchen drew a leadoff walk and went to third on Reynolds’ ground-rule double. Both scored when Cruz followed with a single.

Cruz advanced to third on Rowdy Tellez’s double and scored on Ke’Bryan Hayes’ groundout.

The Pirates added to their lead with a run with two outs in the second inning on back-to-back doubles by McCutchen and Reynolds.

Spiers allowed four runs on seven hits over six innings in his first start of the season. He walked one and struck out five.

Cincinnati had two runners on with two outs in the sixth inning, but Tyler Stephenson grounded out to end the threat.

Skenes, the first overall pick in the 2023 draft, has allowed three earned runs or fewer in all seven of his starts for Pittsburgh, which has won three of its last four games.

Reds center fielder TJ Friedl exited the game with an apparent leg injury after making a diving catch on Nick Gonzales’ liner in the fifth inning.

–Field Level Media