Seven Straight Walks, Zero Hits, Five Runs: The Reds Just Tied an MLB Record Nobody Wanted

The Cincinnati Reds issued seven consecutive walks during the second inning of a 17-7 loss to the Pittsburgh Pirates on Saturday, tying a Major League Baseball record that hasn't been matched in over four decades. The Pirates scored five runs without recording a single hit during the inning, turning one of baseball's most embarrassing pitching performances into a decisive swing in the game.

A Historic Collapse on the Mound

This was only the third time in major league history that a team walked seven batters in a row. Pittsburgh was at bat for one of those moments when Atlanta walked seven straight in the third inning on May 25, 1983. The only other occurrence happened way back on August 28, 1909, when the Chicago White Sox issued seven straight bases on balls to the Washington Nationals, according to the Elias Sports Bureau and Sportradar.

Reds starter Rhett Lowder issued the first three walks, beginning with Brandon Lowe with one out and the bases empty. After walks to Bryan Reynolds and Ryan O'Hearn, Cincinnati pulled Lowder for Connor Phillips. Phillips was no better, walking Nick Gonzales, Marcell Ozuna, Spencer Horwitz, and Konnor Griffin in succession to force in four runs before exiting after just five strikes on 21 pitches.

The Damage and the Explanations

"No excuses for that," Lowder said. "I just didn't really have anything today. I was trying and just couldn't get back in the zone." Lowder took the loss, allowing eight runs in just 1 1/3 innings and watching his ERA balloon from 3.18 to 5.09. Entering Saturday, he had not pitched fewer than five innings or surrendered more than four earned runs in six starts this season, making this performance a stark departure.

Sam Moll came in and stopped the bleeding, inducing Henry Davis's RBI fielder's-choice grounder and retiring Oneil Cruz on a tapper. But the damage was already done. Pirates catcher Tyler Stephenson fielded that grounder, and Pittsburgh's offense had accomplished something historic without needing a single hit.

From the Pirates' perspective, O'Hearn captured the mindset: "Just getting on base any way possible. Walks, hits, whatever it takes. Our guys know what they're doing up there. So, proud of the offense."

This article was created with AI assistance and reviewed by Seattle On Tap editorial staff. Always verify information with official team sources.