Texas Rangers Offense Offers Little Fight Against Milwaukee Brewers Pitching

Milwaukee Brewers pitchers held the Texas Rangers to five hits, including four singles, to take the first two games of the series.

Jun 25, 2024; Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA; Texas Rangers second baseman Marcus Semien (2) reacts after striking out in the eighth inning against the Milwaukee Brewers at American Family Field. Mandatory Credit: Benny Sieu-USA TODAY Sports / Benny Sieu-USA TODAY Sports

The Texas Rangers offense is back in hiding.

After a weekend in which they outscored Kansas City 16-2, the bats have gone quiet in Milwaukee.

The Brewers beat the Rangers 3-1 Tuesday after holding the Rangers to five hits, including four singles, and no walks at American Family Field.

In fact, after a first-inning run, the Brewers held the Rangers to four baserunners the rest of the game. Three singles and a hit-batter. Texas was held to three runs on seven hits in Monday's loss.

"They shut us down ... we just couldn't get two or three hits together and that's what it takes to get a run or [you have to] hit a home run," Rangers manager Bruce Bochy told Bally Sports Southwest. "You've got to knock in some runs and that was missing tonight."

Bruce Bochy on the Rangers lack of offense and the Rangers loss to the Brewers.
@Rangers | #StraightUpTX | @BallySports 📺 pic.twitter.com/2K0IlU5cyO

— Bally Sports Southwest (@BallySportsSW) June 26, 2024

Three thoughts from Tuesday's game:

1. Starting Pitchers Remain Solid

Jun 25, 2024; Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA; Texas Rangers starting pitcher Andrew Heaney (44) pitches against the Milwaukee Brewers in the first inning at American Family Field. Mandatory Credit: Benny Sieu-USA TODAY Sports / Benny Sieu-USA TODAY Sports

The Rangers got another solid outing from their starting pitching. Left-hander Andrew Heaney (2-9) took the loss after allowing two runs on six hits and two walks in five innings. William Contreras led off the third with a double and scored on Jackson Chourio's game-tying, two-out single. Joey Ortiz led off the fifth with a solo homer to left to give Milwaukee a 2-1 lead. "Not a horrible pitch, I probably just threw too many sliders to him," Heaney said on Bally Sports Southwest. "He put a good swing on it."

Andrew Heaney on his pitching performance tonight.
@Rangers | #StraightUpTX | @BallySports 📺 pic.twitter.com/50rhitboFx

— Bally Sports Southwest (@BallySportsSW) June 26, 2024

2. Dane Dunning In Relief

Brewers third baseman Joey Ortiz hits a solo home run during the fifth inning against the Rangers on Tuesday night at American Family Field.Mark Hoffman/Milwaukee Journal Sentinel / Mark Hoffman / USA TODAY NETWORK

Dane Dunning made his first relief appearance of the season when he replaced Brock Burke in the sixth. Burke walked the bases loaded before Dunning came in to get the final out. Dunning allowed a run on two hits in 2 1/3 innings. It's Dunning's first relief appearance since he pitched a scoreless sixth in Game 4 of the World Series on Oct. 31.

3. Up Next

Jun 15, 2024; Seattle, Washington, USA; Texas Rangers starting pitcher Nathan Eovaldi (17) walks off the field during a game against the Seattle Mariners at T-Mobile Park. Mandatory Credit: Stephen Brashear-USA TODAY Sports / Stephen Brashear-USA TODAY Sports

Rangers right-hander Nathan Eovaldi (4-3, 3.14) is set to start the series finale against Brewers left-hander Dallas Keuchel, who is making his first MLB start in 2024 after being acquired Tuesday from the Mariners for cash at 1:10 p.m. Wednesday.

You can follow Stefan Stevenson on X @StefanVersusTex.

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