I've called thousands of games in my 20 years in sports media, and I've never seen anything like what happened in Pittsburgh tonight.
The Cincinnati Reds walked seven consecutive batters in the second inning against the Pittsburgh Pirates. Seven. In a row.
You'd think they were throwing blindfolded.
Rhett Lowder started the nightmare, walking three straight Pirates before getting pulled. Then Connor Phillips came in and walked four more. Seven consecutive free passes. All in one inning.
This is professional baseball, folks. These are guys who've been pitching their entire lives. And they couldn't find the strike zone with a GPS.
The Pirates didn't even have to swing. They just stood there and watched ball after ball after ball sail wide of the plate. It was the most bizarre sequence I've ever witnessed.
Seven walks scored multiple runs without the Pirates getting a single hit. Just standing there, taking pitches, jogging to first base. Rinse and repeat.
"I don't even know what to say," Reds manager said after the game. "That can't happen at this level. That's Little League stuff. We're embarrassed."
They should be.
This wasn't about the Pirates having a great approach. This was about Reds pitchers completely losing the strike zone. Lowder looked lost. Phillips looked even worse.
By the time the bleeding finally stopped, the damage was done. The Pirates had a huge lead without earning it, and the Reds had suffered one of the most embarrassing innings in recent baseball history.
Someone's getting sent down to Triple-A after this nightmare. Probably multiple someones.
The Reds are supposed to be building something in Cincinnati. Young pitchers, promising talent, a foundation for the future. But nights like this set you back.
You can't walk seven straight batters and expect to win games. You can't walk seven straight batters and expect to keep your job.
This was professional baseball at its worst. A complete meltdown. A total loss of control.
That's what sports is all about, folks – sometimes you witness history. And sometimes that history is the bad kind.
Seven straight walks. Unbelievable.
