Blab Sports
Pirates Extend Losing Streak to Four Games in 8-7 Loss to Reds, Skenes Struggles Continue
Friday night at Great American Ball Park, the Pittsburgh Pirates fell 8‑7 to the Cincinnati Reds, extending a four‑game losing streak that began Sunday. The defeat followed a 5‑4 loss to the St. Louis Cardinals on Sunday, an 8‑2 loss to the Toronto Blue Jays on Saturday, and a 5‑4 loss to the Cardinals earlier in the season.
The game turned on a double error in the bottom of the eighth, when third‑baseman Nick Gonzales and second‑baseman Brandon Lowe each made a misplay that allowed Cincinnati to take the lead. The Pirates had held a 7‑6 advantage before the mistake.
The bullpen surrendered a save in the ninth, marking the 20th blown save of the season for Pittsburgh.
After the game, first‑baseman/outfielder Ryan O’Hearn was placed on the injured list, adding to a roster already crowded with Oneil Cruz, Spencer Horwitz and Konnor Griffin.
Starting pitcher Paul Skenes threw 100 pitches over four innings, gave up five runs, walked four batters, and exited with a 3.90 ERA. Across 14 starts, his ERA is 5.87 and the Pirates are 3‑11 in his starts.
When Skenes is on the mound, Pittsburgh trails 46‑42; when he is absent, the club sits at .500. The contrast highlights the pitching staff's dependence on a single arm that has struggled to find consistency.
Skenes' velocity has slipped. He once launched 99‑100‑mph fastballs in his first two seasons, but in 2026 his average sits at 96.9 mph and he has not reached 98 mph in his last three outings.
Beyond pitching, defensive lapses have plagued the club. Multiple errors in recent games, including the double error that decided the Reds matchup, coupled with a bullpen that has blown saves, have turned close contests into losses. The pattern suggests a systemic issue that requires both individual and collective adjustments.
Injuries have compounded the problem, with key players missing time and the roster thin in several positions. The combination of fatigue, lack of depth, and a high error rate has left the Pirates vulnerable when the opposition takes advantage. The team has struggled to find a consistent defensive alignment, further eroding confidence in late‑game situations.
The 71‑91 record that will close the 2026 season marks the eighth straight losing season and the tenth consecutive year the franchise has missed the playoffs. The current season mirrors that trend, with a 5‑9 record after the All‑Star break and a 2‑7 run over the last nine games, widening the gap in the NL Central and the wild‑card race.
The front office has not announced any major roster moves in response to the losing streak. The manager and coaching staff emphasize the need for improvement in pitching, defense and bullpen performance, while ownership signals a focus on building a competitive roster for the future. The organization remains patient, hoping that targeted acquisitions and player development will eventually reverse the current trajectory.
The Pirates will face the Reds again in the next scheduled series on Saturday. To reverse the current trend and keep any wild‑card hopes alive, Pittsburgh must address its pitching inconsistencies, reduce defensive errors and restore bullpen reliability. The series will provide a chance to evaluate the team's adjustments and determine whether the franchise can break out of its extended losing streak.
The game turned on a double error in the bottom of the eighth, when third‑baseman Nick Gonzales and second‑baseman Brandon Lowe each made a misplay that allowed Cincinnati to take the lead. The Pirates had held a 7‑6 advantage before the mistake.
The bullpen surrendered a save in the ninth, marking the 20th blown save of the season for Pittsburgh.
After the game, first‑baseman/outfielder Ryan O’Hearn was placed on the injured list, adding to a roster already crowded with Oneil Cruz, Spencer Horwitz and Konnor Griffin.
Starting pitcher Paul Skenes threw 100 pitches over four innings, gave up five runs, walked four batters, and exited with a 3.90 ERA. Across 14 starts, his ERA is 5.87 and the Pirates are 3‑11 in his starts.
When Skenes is on the mound, Pittsburgh trails 46‑42; when he is absent, the club sits at .500. The contrast highlights the pitching staff's dependence on a single arm that has struggled to find consistency.
Skenes' velocity has slipped. He once launched 99‑100‑mph fastballs in his first two seasons, but in 2026 his average sits at 96.9 mph and he has not reached 98 mph in his last three outings.
Beyond pitching, defensive lapses have plagued the club. Multiple errors in recent games, including the double error that decided the Reds matchup, coupled with a bullpen that has blown saves, have turned close contests into losses. The pattern suggests a systemic issue that requires both individual and collective adjustments.
Injuries have compounded the problem, with key players missing time and the roster thin in several positions. The combination of fatigue, lack of depth, and a high error rate has left the Pirates vulnerable when the opposition takes advantage. The team has struggled to find a consistent defensive alignment, further eroding confidence in late‑game situations.
The 71‑91 record that will close the 2026 season marks the eighth straight losing season and the tenth consecutive year the franchise has missed the playoffs. The current season mirrors that trend, with a 5‑9 record after the All‑Star break and a 2‑7 run over the last nine games, widening the gap in the NL Central and the wild‑card race.
The front office has not announced any major roster moves in response to the losing streak. The manager and coaching staff emphasize the need for improvement in pitching, defense and bullpen performance, while ownership signals a focus on building a competitive roster for the future. The organization remains patient, hoping that targeted acquisitions and player development will eventually reverse the current trajectory.
The Pirates will face the Reds again in the next scheduled series on Saturday. To reverse the current trend and keep any wild‑card hopes alive, Pittsburgh must address its pitching inconsistencies, reduce defensive errors and restore bullpen reliability. The series will provide a chance to evaluate the team's adjustments and determine whether the franchise can break out of its extended losing streak.
