The Cincinnati Reds pitchers made MLB history by walking seven consecutive Pittsburgh Pirates hitters in one inning, tying a record not seen in over 40 years. This occurred during a game on May 2 at PNC Park, resulting in a historically poor performance.
The Cincinnati Reds pitching staff accomplished something Saturday that hadnât been done in more than 40 years.
Two Reds pitchers walked seven consecutive Pittsburgh Pirates hitters in the second inning of a May 2 game at PNC Park, tying an MLB record and turning what was already a rough afternoon into a historically bad day.
Starter Rhett Lowder and reliever Connor Phillips combined to walk seven consecutive Pirates with one out in the second inning. That included issuing the final four walks with the bases loaded. Between them, they threw 42 pitches and only 11 for strikes, according to MLB.com.
Lowder struck out leadoff hitter Oneil Cruz and then it went off the rails from there.
Lowder issued the first three walks before being pulled for Phillips. He came in with the bases loaded and walked four in a row, each one forcing in a run. Reliever Sam Moll finally stopped the bleeding. Entering the game with the bases loaded, he got both catcher Henry Davis and Cruz, batting for the second time that inning, to ground out.
After that inning, the Pirates led 10-3.
The Athletics Lawrence Butler is tagged out by Chicago White Sox third baseman Miguel Vargas as he tires to extend his double into a triple during the eighth inning at Sutter Health Park on April 18, 2026.
Q&A
What MLB record did the Cincinnati Reds pitchers tie?
The Cincinnati Reds pitchers tied the record for the most consecutive walks in an inning with seven walks.
Who were the Reds pitchers involved in the seven consecutive walks?
Rhett Lowder and Connor Phillips were the Reds pitchers who combined to walk seven consecutive hitters.
When did the Reds pitchers walk seven consecutive hitters?
The Reds pitchers walked seven consecutive hitters during a game on May 2 at PNC Park.
How many pitches did the Reds pitchers throw during the seven walks?
The Reds pitchers threw a total of 42 pitches, with only 11 of those being strikes.
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The MLB record for consecutive walks had last been set on May 25, 1983, when the Pirates walked seven consecutive Atlanta Braves batters. One of the pitchers that day happened to be named Bob Walk. On April 27, 1994, the Seattle Mariners walked six in a row, hit a batter and then walked the next batter in a 12-2 loss to the Yankees.
The Reds entered play Saturday having walked 11.6% of batters they faced this season, which was the fifth highest in baseball. Saturday, they showed just how much they struggle with the strike zone.
Cincinnati Reds starting pitcher Rhett Lowder delivers the ball to the Pittsburgh Pirates during the first inning at PNC Park. Phillip G. Pavely-Imagn Images
Cincinnati Reds starting pitcher Rhett Lowder delivers the ball to the Pittsburgh Pirates during the first inning at PNC Park. Phillip G. Pavely-Imagn Images
Lowder, 24, came in 3-1 with a 3.18 ERA, which ballooned to 5.09 after that inning. Phillips had been one of the more reliable arms in Cincinnati's bullpen before Saturdayâs outing. He had walked just 15 in 17 appearances before Saturday.
