Rangers defeat Pirates 2-1 on June 21, 2025, as the bullpen delivers 8.1 dominant innings and Corey Seager provides the clutch hit. See how the relief corps won it.
StatPro MLB Beat Reporter
It wasn't a masterpiece, but it was a win. The Texas Rangers pieced together a gritty 2-1 victory over the Pittsburgh Pirates on Saturday night, relying on a heroic effort from the bullpen and one clutch swing from Corey Seager. After a surprisingly brief start from Kumar Rocker, the relief corps took over and slammed the door, proving once again they are the backbone of this team.
The Rangers' bullpen combined for 8.1 innings of one-run ball, lowering their collective ERA to an elite 3.10.
The story of the game was undoubtedly the Rangers' relief corps. After starter Kumar Rocker was pulled after just 0.2 innings and 15 pitches, the bullpen was called upon for an extended shift. They answered emphatically, holding the potent Pirates lineup to a single run over the final 8.1 innings of the game. It was a masterclass in execution, with multiple arms contributing to the lockdown effort, culminating in José Leclerc shutting the door in the ninth for his 14th save of the season. This performance wasn't an anomaly; it was a continuation of a season-long trend that has seen the Rangers' bullpen emerge as one of the best in the American League.
With the pitching staff keeping the game tight, the offense needed just one big hit. In the top of the sixth, Corey Seager delivered it. With Josh Smith on base, Seager scorched a single to right-center off Pirates' starter Mitch Keller, clocking an impressive 110.2 mph exit velocity. The hit drove in Smith for the go-ahead run, which would prove to be the game-winner. It was Seager's 16th RBI of the season and another example of his clutch hitting in key moments. The team's only other run came courtesy of a sacrifice fly from Marcus Semien, highlighting a 'win by any means necessary' approach.
Kumar Rocker's start lasted just two batters, a planned short outing that put the game squarely in the hands of the bullpen from the first inning. While the team hasn't officially labeled it an 'opener' strategy, the quick hook suggests a deliberate plan to manage matchups and leverage the team's greatest strength: its deep and effective bullpen. This unconventional approach paid off handsomely against the Pirates and could be a tactic we see more of as the team fights for every win in a tight divisional race.
This gritty, unconventional victory brings the Rangers to 37-39, inching them closer to the .500 mark. While not every win will be a high-flying offensive show, this brand of baseball—built on a lockdown bullpen and clutch hitting—is a recipe for success. As they look to take the series from the Pirates tomorrow, fans will be watching to see if this formula can be the key to a sustained summer surge.
