The Texas Rangers scored three runs while the Pittsburgh Pirates scored two runs.
Neither starting pitcher today made it through six innings despite both starters today allowing just two earned runs. 89-99 pitches’ll get you five and change innings but that’s the assignment for a starter in 2025.
Neither Kumar Rocker (5 1⁄3 IP, 5 H, 2 ER, 3 BB, 4 K) nor Mitch Keller (5 2⁄3 IP, 3 H, 3 R, 2 ER, 2 BB, 5 K) were overwhelmingly sharp with a combined five walks in their combined 11 innings. The Rangers and Rocker were ultimately on the fortunate side of things as the difference proved to be an unearned run placed on Keller’s ledger for the game’s first run.
After the starters left in a 3-2 game, both bullpens kept the other team off the board with Shawn Armstrong, Hoby Milner, and Chris Martin following Rocker with zeros.
As for the offense, they managed just four hits which might have doomed them on other days but they bunched them enough — and took advantage of sloppy defense — to score enough runs to claim a second consecutive win to start this road trip.
Player of the Game: With the bats not really doing much, and Rocker merely serviceable, how about highlighting Hoby Milner? Milner was quietly excellent the first couple of months of the season before a rough patch recently. Today the sidewinding lefty was able to come on and toss 1 2⁄3 innings of scoreless relief with a couple of strikeouts in a one-run game.
Up Next: The Rangers have an opportunity for a sweep tomorrow with RHP Jack Leiter next up for Texas against LHP Bailey Falter for Pittsburgh.
The Sunday afternoon first pitch from PNC Park is scheduled for 12:35 pm CT and will be telecast on the Rangers Sports Network.