The Pittsburgh Pirates made some MLB history on Saturday evening, at the expense of the Cincinnati Reds. During the afternoon matchup between the two teams, the Pirates tied an MLB record with seven straight walks.
These Bucs were made for walkin' 🎶
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and that's what they're gonna do (7x in a row! 🤯) pic.twitter.com/vL2fP9maqx
— SportsNet Pittsburgh (@SNPittsburgh) May 2, 2026
After getting warm early with a five-run first inning, the Pirates’ lead grew in the second with very little effort required. Reds starter Rhett Lowder and reliever Connor Phillips both struggled to find the strike zone consistently.
Oneil Cruz struck out to start the inning before the next seven batters were walked, three from Lowder and four from Phillips. That’s when Sam Moll came in and gave up an additional run on a fielder’s choice grounder before striking out Cruz and ending the inning.
In most cases, one of the pitchers would find at least some sort of rhythm with a strikeout or two, but Saturday’s second inning was a nightmare for the Reds.
It was the third occasion in MLB history that a team recorded seven straight walks and actually the second time the Pirates have done it.
They did so in 1983 and the first team ever to was the Chicago White Sox in 1909.
When the dust settled, the Pirates led 10-3 to start the third inning as they look to go up 2-0 in the weekend series.
James Parker is a sports writer for Ball Exclusives, follow him on X @TheJames_Parker
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