Rangers Edge Pirates with Late Rally in 1-0 Victory

ARLINGTON, Texas (AP) — In a tightly contested matchup, rookie Wyatt Langford delivered a crucial single in the ninth inning, allowing pinch-runner Ezequiel Duran to score and secure a 1-0 victory for the Texas Rangers over the Pittsburgh Pirates on Wednesday. The win marked a significant turnaround for the Rangers, who had struggled offensively, going 0 for 9 with runners in scoring position prior to Langford's decisive hit. This victory also ended a streak of 22 scoreless innings for the Rangers in the series. Rangers pitcher Andrew Heaney showcased an impressive performance, throwing five scoreless innings while allowing just five hits and one walk, alongside eight strikeouts. Despite entering the game with an MLB-leading 13 losses, Heaney's strong outing contributed to the Rangers' recent success, as they have now won three of their last four games. Kirby Yates closed the game with a perfect ninth inning, further solidifying the team's defensive efforts. On the other side, Pirates starter Domingo Germán also had a commendable outing, pitching six scoreless innings in his first major league start of the year. However, the Pirates struggled offensively, going 0 for 6 with runners in scoring position and leaving 10 runners on base, which frustrated manager Derek Shelton. The Pirates had opportunities to capitalize but failed to deliver the necessary hits to break the game open. Looking ahead, the Rangers will send right-hander Nathan Eovaldi to the mound for Friday's series opener against the Cleveland Guardians, while the Pirates continue to seek offensive consistency in their upcoming games.