Reds Pitchers Match MLB Record with 7 Consecutive Walks vs Pirates
The Cincinnati Reds tied a major‑league record by issuing seven straight walks in the second inning of Saturday’s game at PNC Park against the Pittsburgh Pirates.
The record‑tying streak began after the Reds trailed 5‑3 following a five‑run first inning by Pittsburgh.
Rhett Lowder entered the contest with a 3‑1 record and a 3.18 ERA, having allowed five hits and one walk in the opening frame.
In the bottom of the second, Lowder struck out leadoff hitter Oneil Cruz before walking Brandon Lowe, Bryan Reynolds and Ryan O’Hearn in succession.
Reliever Connor Phillips replaced Lowder with the bases loaded and proceeded to walk all four batters he faced.
According to the Elias Sports Bureau, this marked only the third instance of a team walking at least seven consecutive batters in a single inning.
The previous occurrence took place on May 25, 1983, when Pirates pitchers walked seven Atlanta Braves batters in the bottom of the third inning.
Phillips was removed after his fourth consecutive walk, making way for left‑hander Sam Moll.
Moll broke the walk streak by inducing a run‑scoring groundout from Pittsburgh catcher Henry Davis for the second out of the inning.
Oneil Cruz then grounded out to end the inning, capping the Reds’ historic walk sequence.
The Pirates’ five‑run second inning was the first time since April 27, 1994, that a team allowed at least five runs without surrendering a hit.
On that 1994 date, the Seattle Mariners gave up five hitless runs to the New York Yankees, a rarity in modern baseball.
In the third inning, Moll walked the first batter he faced but did not permit a run, despite allowing two hits in the frame.
Before the series, the Reds led the National League Central, entering the weekend on top of the standings.
The 9‑1 loss on Friday, combined with a Cubs victory, dropped the Reds into a tie for first place in the division.
The Cubs extended their lead to 21‑12 after a 2‑0 win over the Arizona Diamondbacks on Saturday.
The Reds had played only three division games before traveling to Pittsburgh, having lost two of three earlier season meetings with the Pirates at Great American Ball Park.
Injuries have already strained Cincinnati’s starting rotation, with top pitchers Hunter Greene and Nick Lodolo sidelined.
Left‑hander Brandon Williamson exited his start on Wednesday with a shoulder injury after just two innings, further depleting depth.
Following the loss, the Reds will head to Chicago for a four‑game series against the Cubs beginning Monday.
Monday’s scheduled starter was Williamson, but his placement on the injured list forced a reshuffle of the rotation.
Right‑hander Chase Petty was also removed from his start on Wednesday and sent to Triple‑A Louisville after Williamson’s injury.
Manager Terry Francona noted on Thursday that no concrete plan existed for Monday’s game, though a bullpen‑only start appeared unlikely.
Both Lowder and Phillips delivered unusually short outings, with Lowder recording only one out after the walk streak and Phillips exiting without recording an out.
Lowder’s line for the game read five hits, one walk, and a strikeout before his removal.
Phillips faced four batters, all with the bases loaded, and walked each, contributing to the seven‑walk sequence.
Sam Moll’s relief appearance resulted in a groundout that produced a run, ending the historic walk run.
Despite the walk record, the Reds managed to score three runs in the inning, narrowing the deficit to 5‑3 before the walk spree.
The Pirates’ offense capitalized on the Reds’ lack of control, adding five runs in the second without a single hit.
Below is a summary of the walk sequence and runs allowed during the second inning.
| Inning | Walks Issued | Runs Scored |
|---|---|---|
| 2nd | 7 | 5 |
Rhett Lowder’s season statistics prior to the game included a 3.18 ERA and a 3‑1 win‑loss record.
Connor Phillips entered the game with a 1‑2 record and a 4.56 ERA before the walk incident.
Sam Moll, called upon in the second inning, had a career ERA of 3.92 before his appearance.
The Reds’ bullpen, already taxed by recent injuries, will need to absorb additional workload in the upcoming Chicago series.
Nick Lodolo, who began the season on the injured list with a left‑index finger blister, is slated for a rehab start in Triple‑A Louisville on Saturday night.
Lodolo’s previous rehab attempt in April was halted when the blister recurred, limiting his recent work to a single appearance at High‑A Dayton.
Francona confirmed that Lodolo will not pitch for the Reds on Monday, emphasizing the need for a healthy starter.
Ke’Bryan Hayes, a key offensive player for Cincinnati, is currently hitting .130/.193/.208 with one home run in 83 plate appearances.
Hayes expressed that despite his low numbers, he feels fortunate to remain in the lineup.
The Reds’ offensive production has been modest this season, contributing to the reliance on strong pitching.
With the division race tightening, the Reds must address both pitching depth and offensive consistency.
The upcoming four‑game series against the Cubs will test Cincinnati’s ability to rebound from back‑to‑back short outings.
Both clubs sit near the top of the NL Central, making each matchup critical for postseason positioning.
The Reds’ next off‑day does not occur until May 11, providing limited recovery time.
In summary, the seven‑walk record underscores Cincinnati’s current struggles with command and highlights the broader implications for their division standing.
