Bullpen Collapses Late, Texas Rangers Fall at Pirates

Texas Rangers relievers Josh Sborz and Joe Barlow gave up five runs in the seventh inning in Monday's loss at the Pittsburgh Pirates.

The bullpen faltered again and Texas Rangers bullpen saw their three-game winning streak snapped, falling to the Pittsburgh Pirates 6-4 Monday night at PNC Park.

The American League West-leading Rangers (29-18) opened a nine-game road trip with their first visit to Pittsburgh since 2019. Texas dropped to 13-10 on the road and 8-8 in series openers.

Rangers starter Dane Dunning turned in another solid performance, giving up just one run in 5 2/3 innings. The teams were tied 1-1 going into the seventh.

That’s when it fell apart.

The Pirates scored five runs in the seventh off Texas relievers Josh Sborz and Joe Barlow. Pittsburgh shortstop Tucupita Marcano delivered the deciding blow with a grand slam off Barlow. Three of the runs were charged to Sborz (1-2) and two to Barlow.

Trailing 6-1, the Rangers tried to rally over the last two innings. Josh Jung drilled a two-run homer in the ninth – his 10th of the season – but it was too little, too late.

The Rangers did get some good news earlier in the day when ace Jacob deGrom pitched another bullpen session. He will likely throw another later in the week.

The middle game of the series pits Nathan Eovaldi (5-2, 2.83) for Texas, with Rich Hill (4-3, 3.80) on the hill for the Pirates. First pitch Tuesday is scheduled for 5:35 p.m. CT.

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