Lowder lowers career ERA to 1.30, best by a Reds pitcher through 8 starts, and matches Fernando
ARLINGTON, Texas (AP) — What Rhett Lowder considered a grind ended with him doing something no other Cincinnati Reds pitcher has ever done, and also matching a feat only Fernando Valenzuela had accomplished in the majors. Lowder threw six innings in a 2-0 win over the Texas Rangers on Saturday night, lowering his career ERA to 1. 30, the lowest for a Reds pitcher through eight career starts since the earned run became an official stat in 1913.
His fifth scoreless start of at least five innings matched the late Valenzuela for the most by any pitcher through his first eight career starts since 1900. When Valenzuela did that for the Los Angeles Dodgers in 1981, he went on to be the National League Cy Young Award and the league's Rookie of the Year. “Oh really?
No, I didn't know that,” Lowder responded when told of what he had done. “That’s pretty cool, but just want to keep going and keep winning. ” The 24-year-old Lowder (1-0) held the Rangers to three two-out singles, all coming in the first and second innings.
Only one runner got to second base against him while he struck out four. He retired 13 of the last 15 batters he faced, the runners in that span being after his only two walks, leading off the third and fifth innings. “Honestly, it was a grind,” Lowder said.
“I feel like I never got into rhythm. ... I mean I'm happy with it for sure, but it wasn't easy.