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Josh Jung, Texas Rangers third baseman, right, slides back to first base during a game against the Pittsburgh Pirates on April 21 at Globe Life Field. Jung had one run batted in<\/p>\n
Photo by Quinton Knight<\/a><\/p>\n The Texas Rangers (12-11) beat the Pittsburgh Pirates (13-10) 5-1 in the first of a three-game series Tuesday at Globe Life Field. <\/p>\n The game marked the Rangers\u2019 return home after being away for 12 days. The Rangers failed to win any of the three series they played on the road, but are still tied with the Oakland Athletics for first place in the American League West. <\/p>\n Texas Rangers catcher Danny Jansen swings at the ball during a game against the Pittsburgh Pirates on April 21 at Globe Life Field. Jansen was at bat four times.<\/p>\n Photo by Quinton Knight<\/a><\/p>\n \u201cIt was a total team effort tonight,\u201d manager Skip Schumaker said. \u201cI know we’ve made an error or two, but for the most part, I think it was really good, clean fundamental baseball.\u201d <\/p>\n The Pirates got the scoring started first, taking a 1-0 lead in the top of the first inning with the help of a couple of singles and a throwing error from the Rangers. <\/p>\n The next inning, the Rangers took advantage of their own baserunners. A pair of hits from designated hitter Joc Pederson and third baseman Josh Jung set the table for go-ahead runs to take a 2-1 lead. <\/p>\n Texas Rangers pitcher Kumar Rocker pitches the ball during a game against the Pittsburgh Pirates on April 21 at Globe Life Field. Rocker had five strikeouts.<\/p>\n Photo by Quinton Knight<\/a><\/p>\n Things stayed quiet until the top of the fifth inning when the Pirates threatened to score with runners on first and second base. <\/p>\n Pirates center fielder Oneil Cruz stepped up to the plate, looking to tie the game. He swung and hit a towering ball to center field with enough power to clear the wall. Before the umpire could signal a home run, Rangers center fielder Evan Carter timed his jump and came down with the ball, causing the whole stadium to erupt in cheers. <\/p>\n Schumaker called the play a game-changer and said his team and the crowd fed off the energy. The Rangers reciprocated it, as they put up three runs on four hits to increase their lead to four in the bottom of the fifth inning. <\/p>\n Texas Rangers catcher Danny Jansen slides to second base during a game against the Pittsburgh Pirates on April 21 at Globe Life Field. The Rangers won 5-1.<\/p>\n Photo by Quinton Knight<\/a><\/p>\n With a 5-1 lead, the Rangers pulled starting pitcher Kumar Rocker. He went six innings, struck out five batters and only allowed one run on four hits. Rocker gave props to his defense for helping him secure his first win of the season. <\/p>\n \u201cJust getting ground ball outs, and really wouldn’t be in this position right now if it wasn’t for the defense so far,\u201d Kumar said. \u201cSo the guys behind me are doing a great job, and I’m delivering a pitch and getting the most out of it, so trying to keep the ball on the ground and do what I can.\u201d <\/p>\n Josh Jung, Texas Rangers third baseman, sprints to first base after a hit during a game against the Pittsburgh Pirates on April 21 at Globe Life Field. Jung was at bat three times.<\/p>\n<\/p>\n
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