The Pittsburgh Pirates started their four-game series against the Cincinnati Reds with a commanding 7-0 shutout on Thursday. While the team’s overall season prospects remain bleak, one shining light continues to be their ace pitcher, Paul Skenes.

Despite allowing a career-high seven hits, Skenes maintained control and shut down the Reds, delivering a dominant performance that further cements his status as one of the National League’s premier pitchers.

Manager Don Kelly spoke candidly about Skenes’ ability to navigate through adversity: “He’s got that knack. He’s got elite stuff, but when he gets in trouble, he’s able to go to a lot of different things to get out of the inning, to be able to get punchouts or induce double plays,” Kelly said according to John Perrotto of MLB.com.

Kelly co

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