Texas Rangers Bullpen Locks Down Diamondbacks in Comeback Win

ARLINGTON, Texas – There have been more than a few shaky moments for the Texas Rangers bullpen lately.

A series of blown leads in the Cincinnati Reds series immediately come to mind.

But when the relievers come through and do their jobs, those moments should be acknowledged as well. That’s what Rangers manager Bruce Bochy did after the bullpen cobbled together a scoreless outing in Tuesday night’s 6-4 comeback victory over the Arizona Diamondbacks.

Brock Burke, Jonathan Hernández and Will Smith combined for 3 2/3 scoreless innings in relief of starter Jon Gray.

“What Burke did to pick us up and of course Johnny and Will, the bullpen did a nice job to hold on to that one,” Bochy said.

The bats rallied from a 4-1 deficit to save Gray from a loss, but shutting down the Diamondbacks down the stretch was just as valuable.

“That’s why we’re a good team,” said Gray, who battled into the sixth after struggling early. “We pick each other up. Because of what we did [Tuesday night], it shows that we’re a better team than last year. I’ve got guys to lean on when things aren’t going great.”

Burke (2-0) earned the win after not giving up a hit in 1 1/3 innings. Hernández also pitched a clean inning. Smith did allow two baserunners in the ninth, but held on for his team-leading fourth save.

“I just had to trust there,” Bochy said, adding that he would have pulled Smith if another batter reached.

The combination of the bats coming alive – Ezequiel Duran blasted a go-ahead two-run homer in the sixth – Gray settling down and the bullpen coming through equaled a fourth consecutive win for Texas.

“We gave them a lot of trouble, especially towards the end, and our bullpen to come in and lock it down like that, that’s really good baseball,” Gray said.

The American League West-leading Rangers (18-11) go for a two-game series sweep Wednesday afternoon at 1:05 p.m. at Globe Life Field. Andrew Heaney (2-2, 4.38) is going for Texas, while Arizona rookie Brandon Pfaadt is making his MLB debut.

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