Rangers fall to Pirates 5-2 on June 20, 2025, as Wyatt Langford's homer isn't enough. Jacob deGrom struggles as the offense leaves 8 runners stranded.
StatPro MLB Beat Reporter
It was a frustrating case of déjà vu for the Texas Rangers on Friday night in Pittsburgh. Despite another home run from the surging Wyatt Langford, the team's bats went silent in crucial moments, leading to a 5-2 loss against the Pirates and extending their losing streak to three games. The defeat, which saw ace Jacob deGrom look unusually human, perfectly encapsulated the very problem Manager Bruce Bochy addressed before the game: a failure to execute.
We have to execute better in key situations. The talent is here, but we need to play cleaner baseball.
The box score tells a familiar story. The Rangers managed six hits but left eight runners stranded, going a dismal 1-for-7 with runners in scoring position. Jacob deGrom wasn't his sharpest, taking the loss after allowing four runs (three earned) over five innings. While he still punched out seven, the Pirates capitalized on his mistakes. It's the kind of performance that puts immense pressure on an offense, and on Friday, the offense couldn't deliver. The loss drops the Rangers to 36-39, underscoring Bochy's pregame plea for 'cleaner baseball' and better situational hitting.
If there's a silver lining, it's the continued power display. Wyatt Langford crushed his 14th home run of the season in the sixth inning, a solo shot that briefly cut into the lead. 'I’m just trying to stay aggressive and look for pitches I can drive,' Langford said postgame, clearly feeling confident in his swing despite the outcome. Adolis García also had a solid night, going 2-for-4 with a double. In fact, the Rangers have now hit an AL-leading 25 homers in June. The challenge remains turning those long balls into rallies and, ultimately, wins. The lineup also got a boost with the return of Josh Smith, who went 1-for-4 with a walk after missing two games with a hamstring issue.
Looking for a spark for the pitching staff, the front office made a move before the game, recalling right-hander Owen White from Triple-A Round Rock to add a fresh arm to the bullpen. Grant Anderson, who posted a 4.85 ERA, was optioned to make room. While the big-league club searches for consistency, the future looks incredibly bright down on the farm. Top shortstop prospect Sebastian Walcott put on a show for Double-A Frisco, hitting two home runs and driving in five. The 19-year-old phenom is having a breakout year, now batting .294 with 12 homers, reminding everyone of the elite talent pipeline the Rangers are building.
The frustration is palpable, but the season is long. The power is clearly there, and key players are returning to health. Now, as Bochy stated, it's all about execution. The Rangers will look to even the series against the Pirates tomorrow, hoping to translate their individual successes—like Langford's swing and García's bat—into the cohesive, clutch performance needed to get back in the win column.
