PITTSBURGH (TNS) — Paul Skenes was his typical self Monday evening. And this time, the Pirates rewarded his efforts. Back from starting this year’s summer classic, Skenes pitched the Pirates to victory, defeating the Detroit Tigers by a final score of 3-0 at PNC Park. The win snapped a three-game losing skid.

Skenes threw six scoreless innings to earn his first win since May 28, improving his record to 5-8 on the season. Right-hander Jack Flaherty suffered the loss, dropping to 5-10.

Spencer Horwitz led the charge at the plate, tallying three hits. His second knock, a bloop single to shallow right field in the bottom of the second inning, drove home Ke’Bryan Hayes for the game’s first run. Bryan Reynolds followed two batters later with a single to right field that scored Isiah Kiner-Falefa and Horwitz, bringing the game to its final score of 3-0.

Don Kelly’s bullpen held onto Skenes’ lead following his departure. Braxton Ashcraft and Dennis Santana each threw a scoreless frame, setting the stage for David Bednar in the ninth, who recorded his 14th save of the season. The victory marked Pittsburgh’s 11th shutout win this year.

It was over when …

The Pirates rallied in the bottom of the second. Hayes started things with a leadoff single and then advanced into scoring position when Kiner-Falefa reached on a two-out walk. Horwitz then came through with a clutch single to put the Pirates ahead for good.

Andrew McCutchen continued the rally with a walk, setting the table for Reynolds to plate two more runs. Reynolds’ hit marked just his ninth of the month, and brought home his second and third RBIs during that frame.

On the mound

Kelly spoke before the game about Skenes’ usage in the second half, saying his volume would continue to be monitored, but perhaps not as intensely as we witnessed heading into the All-Star break. That was indeed the case Monday evening.

Skenes logged more than five innings for the first time since June 19, a start that was also against the Tigers. His pitch count (86) was still low, but exceeded the total he ended at in three of his prior four outings. In the end, he surrendered just three hits and a walk while striking out six.

At the plate

After an embarrassingly quiet weekend at the plate, the Pirates bats came to life against the Tigers, tallying nine hits, albeit all of them singles. Horwitz and Hayes both contributed multi-hit efforts, while McCutchen also reached base twice, once from a single and once on a walk.

Most valuable player

Horwitz, who finished 3 for 4 with an RBI and run scored.

Up next

The Pirates will continue their series against the Tigers on Tuesday at PNC Park. All-Star right-hander Casey Mize (9-3, 3.15) will face reliable veteran Mitch Keller (3-10, 3.48) on the mound. First pitch is scheduled for 6:40 p.m. ET.