Reds Blank Rangers 2-0 as Lowder Earns First Win Since 2024

Rhett Lowder pitches six scoreless innings in his return from injury

Apr. 5, 2026 at 2:50pm

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Rhett Lowder allowed three hits over six innings as the Cincinnati Reds beat the Texas Rangers 2-0 on Saturday night, giving the right-hander his first win since 2024 after missing all of last season due to injuries. The Reds got their runs on back-to-back RBI singles by Elly De La Cruz and Sal Stewart in the first inning before Lowder even threw his first pitch.

Why it matters

Lowder's strong outing is a positive sign for the Reds as they look to bounce back from a down 2025 season. The 24-year-old right-hander was the Reds' top draft pick in 2023 and made a promising MLB debut late in 2024 before injuries sidelined him last year.

The details

Lowder struck out four and gave up two leadoff walks, but after allowing back-to-back singles in the first, he retired 12 of his last 13 batters faced. The Reds' bullpen of Graham Ashcraft, Tony Santillan and Emilio Pagán each contributed a scoreless inning to complete the shutout. Texas was held scoreless for the first time this season.

  • Lowder made his big league debut in the final month of the 2024 season.
  • Lowder missed all of the 2025 season due to a right forearm strain and then a left oblique strain.

The players

Rhett Lowder

A 24-year-old right-handed pitcher for the Cincinnati Reds, who was the 7th overall pick in the 2023 MLB draft out of Wake Forest.

Elly De La Cruz

A Reds outfielder who drove in the first run of the game with an RBI single in the 1st inning.

Sal Stewart

A Reds infielder who followed De La Cruz's RBI single with one of his own, scoring De La Cruz from first base.

Kumar Rocker

The Rangers starting pitcher, who took the loss after allowing 2 runs on 5 innings of work.

Emilio Pagán

The Reds relief pitcher who earned the save, his 3rd of the season.

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What they’re saying

“It feels really good, honestly, you know, it's something I kind of, uh, dreamed of when I was 9 years old, you know, um, it's a great award, but um. Yeah, that's in the past now and today we have the Pittsburgh Pirates so, um, I'm gonna go out there and play hard for my team and help the team win.”

— Rhett Lowder, Reds Pitcher

“Obviously it's great and I'm super proud of myself, but, uh, that's in the past now and now it's time to go out there and play against the Pirates. Um, I just feel like I was swinging at good pitches and um sticking to my approach and my game plan, so, um.”

— Rhett Lowder, Reds Pitcher

What’s next

Chase Burns (1-0, 0.00 ERA), who got his first big league win Monday, pitches for the Reds in the series finale Sunday. Jack Leiter (1-0, 3.00) goes for Texas.

The takeaway

Lowder's strong return from injury is a promising sign for the Reds as they look to bounce back in 2026 after missing the playoffs last season. The young right-hander has the potential to be a key part of Cincinnati's rotation for years to come.