The Pittsburgh Pirates delivered a statement performance Monday night, routing the Washington Nationals 16-5 behind ace Paul Skenes' third win of 2026. The victory showcased a dramatically transformed Pirates offense that struggled to support Skenes last season, when he posted a 1.97 ERA but went 10-10 due to lack of run support.

Pittsburgh's lineup, which ranked last in MLB in runs, home runs, and RBI in 2025, is now in the top 10 in all three categories. Second baseman Brandon Lowe made history with back-to-back five-RBI games, including a two-run single and three-run homer during a 10-run sixth inning. The Pirates have scored 38 runs across Skenes' first four starts this season, compared to needing 11 starts to reach that total in 2025.

Skenes, already the fifth-fastest pitcher to 400 strikeouts, mixed his fastball with reliable offspeed stuff, allowing just one solo homer to C.J. Abrams. The 23-year-old joked about throwing only changeups next outing, but the real story was the freedom he now enjoys knowing the Pirates can win without him being perfect. This offensive surge, featuring contributions from Ryan O'Hearn, Bryan Reynolds, and streaking Oneil Cruz, signals the Pirates could be dangerous contenders in the NL Central for the first time in years.