Texas Rangers Claim Series Victory over Pirates
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The Texas Rangers scored three runs in the first inning and made it stick in beating the Pittsburgh Pirates 3-2 on Wednesday.
The Rangers (31-18) are now 6-1-1 in their last seven series and 10-2-1 in their last 12 series as the maintain their lead in the American League West, which was two games at the start of the day. Pittsburgh (25-24) lost the final two games of the series.
The Rangers claimed a 3-0 lead in the top of the first. Marcus Semien led off the inning with a home run. Josh Jung's RBI double scored Nathaniel Lowe and Jonah Heim's fielder's choice scored Adolis García.
The Pirates bounced back for two runs in the bottom of the second. Jack Suwinski had an RBI groundout and Jason Delay had an RBI single.
Rangers starter Martín Pérez (6-1) threw seven innings, giving up six hits, two runs and two walks. He also struck out three. He got his ERA down to 3.83.
The Rangers gave Jose Leclerc a shot in the eighth, but he gave up two hits and a walk in 1/3 inning and handed the ball to closer Will Smith, who got out of the jam. Smith ended up with 1 2/3 innings of work and his ninth save.
Pirates starting pitcher Johan Oviedo (3-4) threw an immaculate inning against the Rangers, but ended up taking the loss after throwing 5 2/3 innings and giving up six hits and two walks. He also struck out five.
The Rangers have Thursday off before starting a three-game series with the Orioles in Baltimore.
Texas' probable rotation for the three game series includes Jon Gray (4-1, 3.02) on Friday, Andrew Heaney (3-3, 4.13) Saturday and Dane Dunning (4-1, 1.67) for Sunday's finale.
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