The Pittsburgh Pirates hammered the Cincinnati Reds 8-3 on Tuesday afternoon at Great American Ball Park, taking two of three in the series behind dominant performances from Paul Skenes and Oneil Cruz. The loss dropped the Reds to 3-3 on the young season.

Skenes Settles In

Paul Skenes bounced back from a rough season debut with five solid innings, allowing just one earned run on five hits while striking out five on 77 pitches. The right-hander found his rhythm early and improved to 1-1 on the season.

Cruz Erupts Again

Oneil Cruz set the tone immediately with a three-run home run in the first inning, a 407-foot blast that gave Pittsburgh a lead it would never relinquish. Cruz continued a monster series in which he went 5-for-13 with three home runs and six RBI. Eugenio Suarez answered with a pinch-hit two-run homer in the sixth to pull the Reds within 4-3, but the Pirates broke it open in the ninth. Bryan Reynolds launched a two-run homer and Nick Gonzales added a two-run single off Emilio Pagan to put it away.

Abbott Takes the Loss

Andrew Abbott fell to 0-1 in his second start, lasting 5.2 innings while surrendering four earned runs on five hits with three walks and five strikeouts. After a brilliant Opening Day outing against Boston, Abbott couldn't replicate that command against a Pirates lineup that was swinging with confidence all series.

The Reds head to Texas for a three-game series beginning Thursday, looking to regroup after dropping their first home series of the season.