Pirates, Blue Jays and a sixth-inning swing: Paul Skenes sets the table, Spencer Horwitz clears it

The Pittsburgh Pirates moved to 17-11 and the Toronto Blue Jays went to 14-11 as the Bucs closed out an 8-3 result at 1:05 PM EDT at LECOM Park in Bradenton.

First inning

The Pirates opened with 1 hit in the inning but came away with 0 runs, while the Blue Jays also logged 1 hit and 0 runs.

Second inning

The Buccos had 0 hits and an error in the inning during a 0-run frame, and the Jays posted 0 hits while keeping it scoreless.

Third inning

The Pirates broke through with 1 run on 2 hits in the inning, and the Blue Birds stayed at 0 runs with 0 hits.

Fourth inning

The Pirates added 2 runs on 2 hits with 1 error in the inning, and the Birds had 0 runs on 0 hits as the game moved toward the Pirates vs Blue Jays turning point.

Fifth inning

The Pirates were held to 0 runs despite 1 hit in the inning, and the Jays got 1 run on 2 hits to put a run on the board.

Sixth inning

The Pirates pushed 3 runs on 2 hits in the inning as part of a 9-hit team hitting line, and Paul Skenes’ start finished at 0 earned runs with 5 strikeouts and 3 walks on 65 pitches.

Seventh inning

The Pirates posted 0 runs on 0 hits in the inning, and the Jays matched it with 0 runs on 1 hit.

Eighth inning

The Pirates tacked on 2 runs on 1 hit in the inning, and Oneil Cruz’s previous-game production included a .500 average with a 1.75 on-base plus slugging mark.

Ninth inning

The Blue Jays closed with 0 runs on 1 hit in the inning, and the Pirates’ pitching line ended at 3 earned runs across 9.0 innings with a 1.33 walks plus hits per inning pitched rate.

The Pirates are scheduled to host the Red Sox at 1:05 PM EDT on 3/22/2026 at LECOM Park in Bradenton, and the broadcast is set for NESN.