The Texas Rangers fell 8-3 to the Pittsburgh Pirates on June 22, 2025, after a 5th-inning collapse. Jack Leiter struggled as the offense, except for Josh Jung, went quiet.
StatPro MLB Beat Reporter
Well, you can't win 'em all. After a fantastic run, the Texas Rangers' bid for a perfect sweep in Pittsburgh came to a screeching halt Sunday, as a disastrous fifth inning fueled an 8-3 loss to the Pirates. The defeat snapped a seven-of-eight hot streak and served as a frustrating reminder of the team's season-long narrative: brilliant pitching being let down by an offense that just can't find its gear.
Despite boasting the best team ERA in the American League at 3.10, the Rangers' offense ranks just 25th in MLB in runs scored.
The game was a tight 2-2 affair heading into the fifth, but things unraveled quickly. Starter Jack Leiter walked the leadoff man and was promptly pulled, a move that backfired as the bullpen couldn't contain the Pirates' rally. Pittsburgh piled on five runs, with the big blows coming from Spencer Horwitz's two-run double—aided by a misplay from Adolis García—and a sharp RBI double from Tommy Pham. Before the Rangers could even record the third out, the game had slipped away.
On the other side of the ball, it was the same old story. While Josh Jung did his part, driving in two of the team's three runs, the rest of the lineup was mostly silent. The Rangers managed just six hits all day, with Corey Seager going 0-for-4 with a pair of strikeouts. Sam Haggerty had a multi-hit game, but the team repeatedly failed to capitalize, leaving runners stranded and unable to mount any serious comeback threat after the Pirates' big inning.
Losing the final game of a series always leaves a sour taste, especially when a sweep is on the line. But let's keep some perspective: winning two of three on the road is always a success. The loss brings the Rangers back near the .500 mark, reinforcing the central question of their season. The pitching, with its AL-best 3.10 ERA, is championship-caliber. The offense, however, is not. This game was a microcosm of that imbalance.
The Rangers now head home to lick their wounds and regroup. While the loss stings, the recent stretch of play has been a major step in the right direction. The challenge is clear: find a way to generate consistent runs and give this incredible pitching staff the support it deserves. The arms are ready for a playoff push; it's time for the bats to join the party.
