The Cincinnati Reds etched their name into the MLB record books on Saturday—but not in the way they'd hoped. In a bizarre and frustrating turn of events, the Reds tied a Major League record by issuing seven consecutive walks during their 17-7 loss to the Pittsburgh Pirates at PNC Park.

The historic meltdown unfolded in the bottom of the second inning. Trailing 5-3, Reds starter Rhett Lowder and reliever Connor Phillips combined to lose the strike zone completely. Pittsburgh sent 10 batters to the plate without recording a single hit, yet still managed to plate five runs thanks to the free passes.

The inning began innocently enough, but quickly spiraled out of control. The Pirates loaded the bases on three straight walks before scoring four runs on four more consecutive walks. The fifth run came on a fielder's choice, putting the game out of reach early.

For baseball fans and players alike, this is the kind of stat that makes you do a double-take. The seven straight walks tie a record that has stood for decades, highlighting just how rare—and painful—this kind of inning is. It's a reminder that in baseball, sometimes the most dangerous pitch is the one that never reaches the plate.

The Reds now face the grim prospect of a three-game sweep on Sunday. First pitch is set for 1:40 p.m., and Cincinnati's pitchers will surely be working overtime in the bullpen to rediscover their command. For fans looking to channel their frustration into something productive, a fresh team cap or jersey might help—because after a game like this, it's all about looking ahead to the next one.