Pirates Falter Offensively, Drop Close Loss to Rangers

Catcher Henry Davis and third baseman Ke'Bryan Hayes ledoff the bottom of the fifth inning with back-to-back singles.

Shortstop Isiah Kiner-Falefa would bunt, moving the runners and Cruz hit a fly ball that ended as a sacrifice fly, scoring Davis and tying the game up at 1-1.

Keller had a strong outing through five innings, with just the hit and walk allowed in the third inning, but struggled in the top of the sixth inning.

He struckout Higashioka, but then allowed a single to Smith, walked Haggerty and another single to Seager, scoring Smith and then a sacrifice fly from second baseman Marcus Semien, scoring Haggerty and giving the Rangers a 3-1 lead.

Keller ended his day after 5.2 innings, allowing three hits, two walks, three runs, two earned runs and posting five strikeouts. He still hasn't won at PNC Park since July 8, 2024 vs. the New York Mets.

Reynolds led off the bottom of the sixth inning with a groundout, but both Horwitz and Gonzales walked, endng Rangers right-handed starting pitcher Kumer Rocker's outing.

Rangers right-handed pitcher Shawn Armstrong would hit Frazier and load the bases. Davis then grounded into a fielder's choice at third base, as Horwitz scored, cutting the deficit to 3-2.

Right-handed pitcher Carmen Mldozinski came in for Keller at the end of the sixth inning and got three strikeouts through the eighth inning, not allowing a run.

He then allowed back-to-back walks to Seagar and Semien, ending his outing for the Pirates, with right-handed pitcher Dennis Santana coming in.

Santana would get right fielder Adolis García to fly out, which moved Seagar to third base. He then got a grounder from center fielder Evan Carter, which Horwitz threw back home to Davis, who tagged Seagar out, and Santana ended the inning with a fly out from Duran.

Pittsburgh had no baserunners over the final three innings, leading to the defeat. Davis did hit a fly ball to deep center field, but it was just short of serving as the game-tying solo home run in the bottom of the ninth inning.

The Pirates will look to avoid the sweep against the Rangers in the series finale on June 22. First pitch is set for 1:35 p.m.