Rhett Lowder Shines in Reds’ 2-0 Shutout Victory Over Rangers
ARLINGTON, Texas — Cincinnati Reds pitcher Rhett Lowder delivered a dominant performance Saturday night, allowing just three hits over six innings in a 2-0 win against the Texas Rangers. The victory marked Lowder’s first win of the 2024 season after missing all of last year due to injuries.
The Reds’ bullpen sealed the deal with Graham Ashcraft, Tony Santillan, and Emilio Pagán each tossing a scoreless inning. Pagán notched his third save of the season—tying for the MLB lead—while escaping a late jam with a double play.
Cincinnati’s offense struck early, scoring both runs in the first inning off Rangers starter Kumar Rocker (0-1). After Matt McLain singled and advanced on a wild pitch, Elly De La Cruz drove him home with a broken-bat single. Sal Stewart followed with an RBI hit, plating De La Cruz from first on a hit-and-run play.
Lowder’s Stellar Return
Lowder (1-0), the seventh overall pick in the 2023 draft, looked sharp in just his second start this season. After surrendering back-to-back singles in the first, he settled in, retiring 12 of his final 13 batters. The right-hander finished with four strikeouts and lowered his career ERA to an impressive 1.30—the best in Reds history for a pitcher’s first eight starts.
“It feels great to be back out there contributing,” Lowder said postgame. “The defense played great behind me, and we got the early lead, which helped me settle in.”
Rangers’ Offensive Struggles Continue
Texas, coming off back-to-back home losses, was shut out for the first time this season. Rocker lasted five innings, striking out three, but the Rangers’ lineup couldn’t capitalize on limited opportunities.
What’s Next?
The series wraps up Sunday with Cincinnati sending Chase Burns (1-0, 0.00 ERA) to the mound, fresh off his first MLB win. Texas counters with Jack Leiter (1-0, 3.00 ERA), looking to avoid a sweep.
— Reported by Nexio News
