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The Reds tie an MLB record by walking 7 straight batters in a 17-7 loss to the Pirates
On Saturday, Cincinnati Reds pitchers Rhett Lowder and Connor Phillips issued seven consecutive walks during the second inning against the Pittsburgh Pirates at PNC Park, tying a Major League Baseball record.
This historic streak marks the third time in Major League Baseball history a team has walked seven consecutive batters, joining the 1909 Chicago White Sox and the 1983 Pirates, who scored five runs without a hit.
Starter Lowder and reliever Phillips struggled significantly with control, combining to throw 42 pitches with only 11 for strikes; manager Terry Francona removed Lowder after three walks, but Phillips walked four consecutive batters.
The pitching collapse contributed to a 17-7 loss for the Reds, who faced losing their 17-day hold on first place in the National League Central, as the Pirates finished with 11 walks and 19 hits.
Cincinnati will look to avoid a three-game sweep on Sunday, having entered Saturday's game with an 11.6% walk rate—the fifth-highest in baseball—that manifested in the historic pitching struggle.
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