Pirates' Skenes Takes No-Hit Bid Into 6th, Beats Padres 7-1

Dominant pitching and timely hitting lead Pittsburgh to victory over San Diego.

Apr. 8, 2026 at 9:54am

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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 outing and the Pirates' offensive production demonstrate the team's potential to make a run in the NL Central, while the Padres will need to regroup and respond in the next game.