MLB roundup: Paul Skenes' pitching gem carries Pirates past Padres

Oneil Cruz and Nick Gonzales each had clutch two-run hits to back up Skenes' strong outing.

Apr. 8, 2026 at 5:27am

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A fractured, geometric painting depicting the motion of a baseball pitcher and the swing of a batter, with sharp planes of navy, crimson, and gold colors conceptually representing the intensity and energy of the game.Skenes' masterful pitching and the Pirates' timely hitting combine to overpower the Padres in a cubist-inspired visual interpretation of the game's key moments.St. Petersburg Today

Paul Skenes carried a no-hitter into the sixth inning and struck out six batters over 6 1/3 innings as the Pittsburgh Pirates defeated the San Diego Padres 7-1 on Tuesday. Oneil Cruz and Nick Gonzales each had two-run hits to support Skenes' gem.

Why it matters

Skenes' dominant performance continues his strong start to the season and helps the Pirates build momentum after winning six of their last seven games. The Padres' offense struggled to get going against the young Pirates pitcher.

The details

Skenes (2-1) allowed just one run on two hits while walking two and hitting a batter. He carried a no-hitter into the sixth inning before giving up a single to Fernando Tatis Jr. Rookie Konnor Griffin, Ryan O'Hearn and Henry Davis each had two hits for the Pirates, who broke the game open with a five-run eighth inning. Nick Pivetta (1-2) took the loss for the Padres, giving up two runs over five innings.

  • Skenes carried a no-hitter into the sixth inning.
  • Skenes struck out six batters over 6 1/3 innings.

The players

Paul Skenes

The Pittsburgh Pirates pitcher who threw 6 1/3 innings of one-run ball, carrying a no-hitter into the sixth inning.

Oneil Cruz

The Pittsburgh Pirates outfielder who had a clutch two-run hit to support Skenes' strong outing.

Nick Gonzales

The Pittsburgh Pirates infielder who also had a two-run hit to back up Skenes' gem.

Fernando Tatis Jr.

The San Diego Padres outfielder who broke up Skenes' no-hit bid with a sixth-inning single.

Nick Pivetta

The San Diego Padres pitcher who took the loss, allowing two runs over five innings.

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The takeaway

Skenes' dominant performance on the mound and the Pirates' timely hitting led to a convincing victory over the Padres. This game showcases the young pitcher's potential and the Pirates' ability to win close games, even against tough opponents like San Diego.