Pirates rally in two wins, Reds struggle control
PUBLISHED May 2, 2026, 12:38 AM ET
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PITTSBURGH — On Friday, Henry Davis hit two home runs and Mitch Keller pitched seven strong innings as the Pittsburgh Pirates beat the Cincinnati Reds 9-1, ending a losing streak; on Saturday the Pirates won 17-7 when the Reds issued seven consecutive walks in the second inning, tying a major-league record. The Friday victory included homers from Bryan Reynolds and Marcell Ozuna and Keller throwing a season-high 104 pitches; Keller improved to 3-1. Saturday’s inning of seven walks, verified by Elias Sports Bureau and Sportradar, produced five runs without a hit and led to starter Rhett Lowder’s removal, with Lowder telling MLB.com he ‘didn’t really have anything today.’
By Daniel Hayes | JQJO News
Timeline of Events
- Friday night — Pirates defeat Reds 9-1; Davis hits two homers and Keller goes seven innings.
- Friday night — Bryan Reynolds and Marcell Ozuna each hit home runs; Nick Gonzales reaches base three times.
- Saturday — Reds issue seven consecutive walks in the second inning, producing five Pirates runs without a hit.
- Saturday — Elias Sports Bureau and Sportradar confirm the walks tied an MLB record (previously 1983 and 1909).
- Postgame — Starter Rhett Lowder was removed after issuing multiple walks and told MLB.com he lacked command.
News Intelligence
- This weekend's games show the Pirates' resilience, ending a losing streak with a bang. If you're a Pirates fan, it's a great time to celebrate. If you're a Reds supporter, it's a chance to reflect on the team's pitching strategy. Either way, it's a reminder of the unpredictability and excitement of baseball.
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The Pittsburgh Pirates benefited most from timely hitting, pitching durability from Mitch Keller, and opponent control lapses that led to multiple runs and momentum shifts across two games.
The Cincinnati Reds suffered from pitching control breakdowns, including a record-tying streak of seven consecutive walks and short starts that allowed high run totals and forced bullpen and roster adjustments.
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