Pirates' Skenes takes no-hit bid into 6th, beats Padres 7-1

Oneil Cruz and Nick Gonzales provide key offense to support Skenes' strong outing.

Apr. 8, 2026 at 4:54am

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A fragmented, geometric painting depicting the various angles and perspectives of a baseball pitcher's windup and delivery, with vibrant splashes of the Pirates' and Padres' team colors.A cubist interpretation of Pirates pitcher Paul Skenes' dominant performance, capturing the raw energy and movement of his pitching motion.San Diego Today

Pittsburgh Pirates pitcher Paul Skenes took a no-hitter into the 6th inning and got strong offensive support from Oneil Cruz and Nick Gonzales as the Pirates defeated the San Diego Padres 7-1 on Tuesday night.

Why it matters

Skenes' dominant performance on the mound and the Pirates' timely hitting showcase the team's potential as they look to make a push in the NL Central division race. The Padres, meanwhile, will need to regroup after this setback as they aim to maintain their position in the competitive NL West.

The details

Skenes, the Pirates' top pitching prospect, was brilliant on the mound, taking a no-hit bid into the 6th inning before surrendering a hit. He finished the game with 7 strong innings, allowing just 1 run on 3 hits while striking out 9 Padres batters. Offensively, Cruz and Gonzales each delivered 2-run hits to provide Skenes with more than enough run support.

  • The game was played on Tuesday, April 8, 2026.

The players

Paul Skenes

The Pittsburgh Pirates' top pitching prospect, who delivered a dominant outing on the mound.

Oneil Cruz

The Pirates' slugging outfielder, who provided a key 2-run hit to support Skenes.

Nick Gonzales

The Pirates' young infielder, who also contributed a 2-run hit to the team's offensive effort.

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What they’re saying

“Paul was absolutely dealing tonight. When he's on like that, he's nearly unhittable.”

— Oneil Cruz, Pirates Outfielder

What’s next

The Pirates will look to build on this win as they continue their series against the Padres, while the Padres will aim to bounce back in the next game.

The takeaway

Skenes' dominant performance and the Pirates' timely hitting showcased the team's potential as they look to make a push in the NL Central race. The Padres, however, will need to regroup after this setback as they aim to maintain their position in the competitive NL West.