The Pittsburgh Pirates exploded for 17 runs in a 17-7 victory over the NL Central-leading Cincinnati Reds on Saturday at PNC Park. Every player in the starting lineup drove in at least one run, a feat not achieved since September 16, 1975. The win improved Pittsburgh to 2-0 in May after a four-game sweep by St. Louis earlier in the week.
Pittsburgh struck early, plating five runs in the first inning on five hits—including doubles—against Reds starter Rhett Lowder. Brandon Lowe, Ryan O’Hearn, Nick Gonzales, Marcell Ozuna and Konnor Griffin all recorded RBIs in the frame.
Lowder lasted just 1 1/3 innings, chased after the Pirates drew three straight walks to open the second. Reliever Connor Phillips then issued four more consecutive free passes, tying a major league record with seven straight walks from the pair. The sequence, which included 42 pitches and only 11 strikes, fueled a five-run inning without a hit—for in-depth analysis of this historic pitching meltdown, including the full batter sequence and precedents, see our related coverage.
The Pirates' bats kept firing the rest of the way in the lopsided rout, showcasing a total team effort on offense.
