Reds' starter Rhett Lowder, 3 relievers combine to blank Rangers

Lowder pitches 6 scoreless innings as Cincinnati shuts out Texas 2-0

Apr. 5, 2026 at 2:22am

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Rhett Lowder pitched six shutout innings and three Reds relievers combined to blank the Texas Rangers 2-0 on Saturday in Arlington. Lowder allowed just three hits and two walks while striking out four in 82 pitches. Emilio Pagan recorded the save despite a shaky ninth inning. The Reds scored both of their runs in the first inning on RBI singles from Elly De La Cruz and Sal Stewart.

Why it matters

The win improves the Reds' record to 2-2 on the young season, while the Rangers drop to 1-3. Lowder's strong outing is an encouraging sign for the Reds' starting rotation, which is looking to bounce back after a disappointing 2025 campaign.

The details

Lowder (1-0) was dominant, allowing only one runner to reach second base. The Reds bullpen was nearly as effective, with Pagan working around a couple walks in the ninth to preserve the shutout. Rangers starter Kumar Rocker (0-1) took the loss, allowing two runs on six hits over five innings.

  • The game was played on Saturday, April 4, 2026 in Arlington, Texas.
  • Lowder's start was his first of the 2026 season.

The players

Rhett Lowder

The 24-year-old Reds starting pitcher who threw six scoreless innings, allowing just three hits and two walks while striking out four.

Emilio Pagan

The Reds relief pitcher who recorded the save despite a shaky ninth inning.

Kumar Rocker

The Rangers starting pitcher who took the loss, allowing two runs on six hits over five innings in his first start of the season.

Elly De La Cruz

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

Sal Stewart

The Reds outfielder who drove in the second run of the game with an RBI single in the first inning.

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What they’re saying

“Rhett really set the tone for us today with his outstanding start. The bullpen did a great job of protecting the lead and finishing the job.”

— David Bell, Reds Manager

What’s next

The Reds and Rangers will wrap up their three-game series on Sunday afternoon in Arlington.

The takeaway

The Reds' pitching staff delivered a much-needed bounce-back performance after a shaky start to the season, providing hope that the team's rotation can be a strength in 2026 if Lowder and others continue to develop.