The Pirates got a second straight win over the Reds yesterday, and by the same score both times! Joe Block has the story.
Manager Donnie Kelly says the Pirates did the job in Cincy.
Kelly had no doubt that Paul Skenes would rebound from a rough first start last week against the Mets.
Kelly pulled Skenes from the game after just five innings and 77 pitches. He says it was because he’d gone just two-thirds of an inning in his first start in New York, and they need to protect his arm.
Nick Gonzalez, Bryan Reynolds, and Oneal Cruz all had two hits for the Pirates.
The Bucs have today off to settle in to their Pittsburgh homes and prepare for tomorrow’s home opener against the Orioles. Mitch Keller will get the start for the Pirates against the O’s right-hander Kyle Bradish.
ESPN’s Buster Olney reports the Pirates are “deep into negotiations” with top prospect Konnor Griffin on a longterm contract, but the two sides are about $20 million apart. Olney says the Pirates are looking at a deal similar to the Diamondbacks’ contract with Corbin Carroll, for 8 years and just over $110 million. Griffin’s agent wants something more like the Red Sox’ star Roman Anthony got: eight years for $130 million.
INDY
The Pirates’ AAA Indianapolis farm team is 0-5 after losing last night, 6-1, to Columbus. Konnor Griffin, Esmerlyn Valdez each had a hit for the Indians, their only three hits of the game.
