The Cincinnati Reds made history by tying the MLB record for consecutive walks in a single game, issuing seven straight during a disastrous second inning that led to a 17-7 defeat against the Pittsburgh Pirates. This marks the third occurrence of such an event in MLB history and the first since 1983. The Reds saw starter Rhett Lowder struggle, allowing three walks before being replaced, while reliever Connor Phillips also failed to find the strike zone, contributing further to the team’s woes. The unusual performance allowed the Pirates to plate five runs without a single hit in the inning.

By the Numbers
  • The Reds committed seven consecutive walks, tying an MLB record.
  • Rhett Lowder's ERA rose to 5.09 after allowing eight runs in 1 1/3 innings.
State of Play
  • The Reds have now lost their last game, contributing to a struggling season.
  • Lowder had previously recorded six starts without a single outing of fewer than five innings.
What's Next

The Reds need to quickly regroup and improve their pitching performances to avoid further record-tying disasters. Coaching strategies may be evaluated to address pitching inconsistencies ahead of upcoming games.

Bottom Line

The Reds' historic struggle on the mound highlights the urgent need for pitching adjustments if they hope to turn their season around and avoid further embarrassment on the field.