Texas Rangers Bullpen Blows Lead, Wastes Josh Jung Homers in Loss to Reds

The Texas Rangers blew in a 6-4 lead, as the bullpen allowed three runs over the last two innings to the Cincinnati Reds.

Josh Jung went deep twice, but the Texas Rangers bullpen faltered late with control issues in 7-6 loss to Cincinnati Reds in Monday night’s series opener at Great American Ballpark.

The American League West-leading Rangers (14-8) saw their two-game winning streak snapped and fell to 6-4 on the road. Texas’ 22-game start is still tied for the sixth-best in club history.

Jung continued to a strong start to his rookie campaign with home runs in successive innings off Cincinnati starter Nick Lodolo. The third baseman sent a solo shot 392 feet to left in the second to tie the game 1-1. In the third, Jung drilled a 418-foot bomb to center to score Adolis García, the new AL Player of the Week, for a 5-1 lead.

Rangers starter Nathan Eovaldi was grateful for the early support. The right-hander worked six innings – he’s gone at least five in all five starts – and was effective, if not particularly sharp.

Eovaldi gave up six hits and four runs (three earned), while striking out seven and walking one. He left after the sixth with Texas up 6-4.

Rangers reliever Dane Dunning worked the next 1 2/3 innings, but saw his scoreless scoreless streak to start the season end at 17. He left with the bases loaded with two outs in the eighth.

José Leclerc was called to put out the fire. Instead, he walked in two runs to tie it 6-6. Both runs were charged to Dunning.

The control problems continued in the ninth. Leclerc walked leadoff hitter Jonathan India and was yanked for Will Smith, who advanced the runner with a wild pitch.

TJ Friedl singled to right to score India and win it for the Reds, who took advantage of five combined walks from Dunning and Leclerc. 

Rangers right fielder Robbie Grossman kept up his recent uptick with a run-scoring single in the fourth. Second baseman Marcus Semien and center fielder Leody Taveras also drove in runs for Texas.

The Rangers hope to tie the series Tuesday night with Martín Pérez (3-1, 3.38) on the mound and Luke Weaver (0-1, 6.00) going for Cincinnati. First pitch for the second of three games is scheduled for 5:40 p.m.

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