Streaky Rangers look for series sweep in Pittsburgh

The Pittsburgh Pirates hope to salvage a brief, three-game homestand Sunday when their series wraps up with the Texas Rangers.

Having lost six of their last seven games, the National League Central cellar-dwelling Pirates will send Bailey Falter (5-3, 3.49 ERA) to the mound in hoping to right the ship. The 28-year-old left-hander has not taken a loss since April 27, but he has five no-decisions in his last nine starts.

As has been the case for most of the season, offense has been an issue for the Pirates. They entered Saturday with an NL-worst .225 batting average and managed just five hits in Saturday's 3-2 loss -- though the Rangers managed just four.

During the current skid, the Pirates have mustered six or fewer hits in five games - all losses. Manager Don Kelly's team has scored three or fewer runs in each of their last 10 defeats going back to June 3.

Despite the lack of offense, the Pirates had their chances to score on Saturday. The leadoff runner reached in four of the first five innings, but only one ended up scoring.

"We just have to find a way," Kelly said. "We got to find a way to come through with guys on base."

Falter has one career start against the Rangers, that coming in April 2023 when he was with the Philadelphia Phillies. Falter threw 5 1/3 innings and allowed two runs on seven hits with three strikeouts in a 2-1 loss on the road. Josh Jung hit a solo homer off Felter in that one.

The Rangers, winners of two straight, have been a team of streaks over the past nine games. That stretch started with a four-game winning streak before they were swept at home by Kansas City.

Jack Leiter will face the Pirates for the first time in his career Sunday. The rookie right-hander, the No. 2 overall pick in the 2021 MLB Draft, has lost two straight and struggled in both starts. He has allowed 10 earned runs over his last 9 2/3 innings while giving up 13 hits and six walks.

Texas will be without one of its top bats for at least 10 days as the club placed Jake Burger on the 10-day injured list on Saturday. The first baseman, whose 10 home runs and 13 doubles both rank second on the team, strained his left oblique in Friday's win over the Pirates.

Utility player Ezequiel Duran will likely play in Burger's place, manager Bruce Bochy said, according to MLB.com.

"I'd like to give Zeke some runway here," Bochy said. "I think he's been swinging better, and he gives us a good option there at first base. It's been good to see him make some adjustments."

Duran was 0-for-3 on Saturday but scored the first run in the win after drawing a walk. He scored from first after left fielder Adam Frazier let Kyle Higashioka's base hit go under his glove and roll to the wall.

After Sunday, Pittsburgh leaves for Milwaukee for a three-game series against the Brewers that starts Monday. The Rangers will travel to Baltimore for a three-game series that also starts Monday.