ARLINGTON, Texas (Interstat) — Kumar Rocker allowed one run over six strong innings and the Texas Rangers defeated the Pittsburgh Pirates 5-1 on Tuesday night at Globe Life Park. Rocker struck out five and scattered four hits to earn his first win of the season, stabilizing after the Pirates scored in the first on Ryan O’Hearn’s RBI single. Texas responded with two runs in the second on hits by Evan Carter and Josh Smith. The Rangers broke it open with a three-run fifth, highlighted by an RBI double from Ezequiel Duran. Carmen Mlodzinski took the loss for Pittsburgh, allowing five runs in 4 1/3 innings. Texas relievers Jacob Latz and Cole Winn combined for three strikeouts over two perfect innings. Attendance was 23,910 and the game took 2 hours, 28 minutes. The Rangers improved to 12-11, while the Pirates fell to 13-10.

ARLINGTON, Texas (Interstat) — Kumar Rocker delivered six strong innings and the Texas Rangers broke open a tight game with a three-run fifth, cruising to a 5-1 victory over the Pittsburgh Pirates on Tuesday night at Globe Life Park. A crowd of 23,910 watched the Rangers even their season record at 12-11, while the Pirates fell to 13-10. The game’s pivotal sequence came in the bottom of the fifth inning, transforming a 2-1 pitchers’ duel into a comfortable Texas lead. Josh Smith ignited the rally with a leadoff double against Pirates starter Carmen Mlodzinski. After a flyout moved Smith to third, Ezequiel Duran drove him home with an RBI double. Corey Seager followed with a run-scoring single, and Jake Burger kept the line moving with another single. A walk to Joc Pederson loaded the bases, and Josh Jung capped the rally by grounding into a forceout that allowed Seager to score, making it 5-1. That offensive outburst provided more than enough support for Rocker, who earned his first win of the season. The right-hander, who entered the game with an 0-1 record and a 4.91 ERA from his first two starts, looked sharp. He allowed one run on four hits, striking out five and walking none over six innings. His only blemish came in a hectic first inning. Pittsburgh struck immediately. Oneil Cruz led off the game with a single, stole second and advanced to third on a throwing error by Rangers catcher Danny Jansen. Ryan O’Hearn then singled him home, giving the Pirates a 1-0 lead just two batters into the contest. Texas answered in the second against Mlodzinski. Pederson led off with a single and Jung doubled him to third. Evan Carter tied the game with an RBI single, and Smith gave the Rangers the lead for good with a sacrifice fly to right field. From there, Rocker settled in. He worked around a single and an error in the fifth, stranding two runners in scoring position by getting Cruz to fly out to center. The Rangers bullpen sealed the win with three perfect innings of relief. Jacob Latz struck out two in the seventh, Cole Winn struck out two in the eighth and Jakob Junis worked a clean ninth. Mlodzinski took the loss for Pittsburgh, falling to 1-1. He was charged with five runs on six hits over 4 1/3 innings, walking two and striking out six. The Pirates bullpen, led by scoreless outings from Wilber Dotel, Justin Lawrence and Evan Sisk, kept Texas off the board after the fifth, but the Pittsburgh offense could not mount a comeback. The Pirates managed just six hits total and went 0 for 4 with runners in scoring position. After O’Hearn’s first-inning RBI single, only two Pittsburgh runners reached second base. Texas finished with eight hits, led by two hits apiece from Smith and Burger. Carter finished 1 for 3 with a walk, an RBI and a run scored. The game, which lasted 2 hours and 28 minutes, defied pregame projections. National Statistical’s game simulator had projected a 5-4 Pirates victory, and Pittsburgh had been installed as a -1.5 run favorite. The total of six runs also went under the over/under line of 8.5, though Texas’s 56.6% win probability per the ELO system proved accurate. The victory gives Texas momentum heading into the middle game of the three-game series Wednesday night. The Pirates will look to even the series before both clubs embark on their next road trips. Pittsburgh continues its journey with a three-game set in Milwaukee beginning Friday, while Texas will host for three games starting Friday after concluding this series with Pittsburgh.

Pirates, Rangers Set for Series Opener in Arlington ARLINGTON, Texas (Interstat) — The Pittsburgh Pirates, riding a recent surge, open a three-game series against the Texas Rangers at Globe Life Park on Tuesday night. The Pirates (13-9) arrive after taking two of three from the Tampa Bay Rays, including a 6-3 win Sunday. Right-hander Mitch Keller (2-3, 3.38 ERA) gets the start for Pittsburgh, looking to build on a strong outing his last time out. Keller earned the win against Tampa Bay, allowing two runs on five hits over seven innings with five strikeouts. His season has been a mix of dominance and struggles, with three quality starts among his five outings. Texas (11-11), which dropped two of three in Seattle over the weekend, will counter with left-hander MacKenzie Gore (2-3, 4.13 ERA). Gore seeks a rebound after a rough loss to the Mariners on Sunday, where he surrendered five runs on seven hits in five innings. He was brilliant in his prior home start on April 8, tossing five shutout innings with nine strikeouts in a win over Seattle. Pittsburgh’s offense is coming off a productive weekend. Bryan Reynolds drove in three runs in Sunday’s victory, and Nick Yorke added a home run. The Rangers’ bullpen provided some stability after Gore’s exit Sunday, with Jakob Junis and Tyler Alexander combining for two scoreless innings. Despite the Pirates holding a better record, statistical models are split on the outcome. National Statistical’s game simulator projects a 5-3 Pittsburgh victory, while its ELO rating system gives Texas a 56.6% probability to win. First pitch is scheduled for 7:05 p.m. CDT under cloudy skies with a game-time temperature near 64 degrees. The series continues Wednesday and Thursday before both clubs depart for their next opponents. Pittsburgh heads to Milwaukee for a weekend set, while Texas prepares to host the Athletics.