ARLINGTON, Texas — Despite Rhett Lowder’s perception of the outing as a demanding effort, it concluded with him achieving a milestone no other Cincinnati Reds pitcher has ever accomplished, simultaneously matching a remarkable feat previously managed in the major leagues only by Fernando Valenzuela.
Lowder delivered six innings during a 2-0 victory over the Texas Rangers on Saturday evening, subsequently reducing his career earned run average to an impressive 1.30, a mark that stands as the lowest for any Reds hurler through their initial eight professional appearances since the earned run became an official statistic in 1913.
This marks his fifth start where he pitched at least five innings without allowing a run, an achievement that ties him with the late Valenzuela for the most by any pitcher within their first eight professional appearances since the turn of the 20th century. In 1981, when Valenzuela accomplished this with the Los Angeles Dodgers, he subsequently earned both the National League Cy Young Award and the league’s Rookie of the Year honor.
“Is that so? I wasn’t aware,” Lowder remarked upon being informed of his accomplishment. “That’s quite impressive, yet my focus remains on continuing this momentum and securing more victories.”
The 24-year-old Lowder, now with a 1-0 record, restricted the Rangers to just three singles, all occurring with two outs and exclusively within the initial two innings. He fanned four batters, and only a single opponent managed to advance to second base during his time on the mound. He successfully dispatched 13 out of the final 15 hitters he encountered; the two base runners in this sequence resulted from his sole two walks, issued at the start of the third and fifth frames, respectively.
“To be frank, it felt like a tough struggle,” Lowder stated. “I don’t think I ever found my optimal flow… I’m certainly pleased with the outcome, but it required considerable effort.”
Previously, Tom Browning held the Reds’ franchise record for the lowest ERA through his initial eight professional starts, recording a 1.52 ERA across the 1984-85 seasons.
This marked Lowder’s second appearance of the current year, having sat out the entirety of the previous season due to injuries including a right forearm strain and a left oblique strain. Drafted as the seventh overall selection from Wake Forest in 2023, he first played in the major leagues during the closing month of the 2024 season, where he posted a 2-2 record with a 1.17 ERA over six starts.
Despite technically retaining his rookie status for the current season, Lowder’s performance on the mound has been anything but novice-like, nor does he appear to be a player returning after an 18-month absence from major league mound appearances.
“I don’t believe he was struggling to find his form… it’s good to observe him settling into his rhythm,” commented Reds manager Terry Francona. “However, we weren’t overly concerned about that aspect. He demonstrates considerable maturity for his age.”
During his initial start this season, Lowder recorded five strikeouts and surrendered two runs on three hits across five innings pitched versus Boston. Against Texas, he delivered 54 strikes out of 82 total pitches, effectively navigating through instances of two-out singles and walks issued to the leadoff batter.
“He simply performs with the poise of an experienced player,” Francona remarked.
“He’s an excellent hurler. He possesses precise command over his pitches. He understands how to deploy his various offerings, his arsenal. Truly, he can unleash any pitch whenever he chooses,” stated catcher Jose Trevino. “His on-mound composure and his overall approach are quite remarkable. … I anticipate he will enjoy a lengthy and successful career.”
