Pirates Preview: Ke’Bryan Hayes Returns to PNC Park With Reds

Danny Demilio |

Aug 7, 2025

The Pittsburgh Pirates dropped a 4-2 rubber match against the San Francisco Giants on Wednesday afternoon at PNC Park.

Pittsburgh had a one-run lead after seven innings but the Giants rallied for three unanswered runs over the final two frames.

The Pirates (49-66) will have to turn the page quickly as the division-rival Cincinnati Reds (60-55) come to town for the start of a four game series on Thursday night.

First pitch is set for 6:40 p.m. ET, and the game will be broadcast on SportsNet Pittsburgh, MLB Network and 93.7 The Fan.

Weather

Partly cloudy skies with temperatures in the low-80s to upper-70s. Winds SE at 7 mph.

RHP Paul Skenes (6-8, 2.02 ERA) Will Start for the Pirates

Skenes cruised through the first five innings of his last outing against the Colorado Rockies before he allowed four runs to score in the sixth.

It was the first start of August for the right-hander, who won NL Pitcher of the Month for July after pitching to a 0.67 ERA across five starts.

Skenes leads MLB starting pitchers with a dazzling 2.02 ERA and ranks fourth in the National League with 154 strikeouts.

This will be the first time he faces the Reds this season. Last year, Skenes went 3-0 with a dominant 0.53 ERA in three starts against them.

RHP Brady Singer (9-8, 4.36 ERA) Will Start for the Reds

Singer dominated the Atlanta Braves in his last start and struck out 10 batters across six-scoreless innings.

Combined between his last two starts, the right-hander has allowed just one run on seven hits in 13 innings with two walks and 18 strikeouts.

Singer has won each of his last two starts after going 0-4 with a 6.18 ERA in six starts from June 12 to July 21.

Singer has allowed five runs in 10 innings between two starts against the Pirates this season. In his career against Pittsburgh, he’s 2-2 with a 5.66 ERA (four starts).

Reds Hitters vs. Skenes

Spencer Steer: 3 for 7, one double, one RBI, three strikeouts
Elly De La Cruz: 2 for 6, one double, one walk, two strikeouts
TJ Fridel: 0 for 6, three strikeouts
Gavin Lux: 2 for 5, one double, three RBI, two strikeouts
Tyler Stephenson: 0 for 5, four strikeouts
Santiago Espinal: 0 for 4, two strikeouts
Jake Fraley: 0 for 4, one walk

Pirates Hitters vs. Singer

Isiah Kiner-Falefa: 6 for 14, one double, three RBI, two walks, two strikeouts
Tommy Pham: 2 for 10, one double, one RBI, three strikeouts
Bryan Reynolds: 2 for 10, one double, three RBI, three strikeouts
Oneil Cruz: 2 for 5, one walk, one strikeout
Joey Bart: 1 for 3, one walk, one strikeout
Alexander Canario: 0 for 3, one strikeout
Nick Gonzales: 0 for 3, one RBI
Andrew McCutchen: 0 for 3, three strikeouts

Tidbits

Nick Gonzales finished Wednesday’s game with three hits. He’s recorded three-plus hits in three of his last six games.
The Pirates were 37-3 this season when leading after seven innings prior to Wednesday’s loss.
Paul Skenes has thrown 16 straight scoreless innings against the Reds.