PITTSBURGH (June 23, 2025) — The Pittsburgh Pirates used a five-run fifth inning and a standout day from veteran Tommy Pham to halt a five-game skid and avoid a series sweep, defeating the Texas Rangers 8–3 Sunday afternoon at PNC Park.
Pham delivered at the plate, going 3-for-3 with three RBIs, including a game-tying sacrifice fly in the fourth inning and a pair of doubles, the last of which drove in Pittsburgh’s final run in the seventh. The Pirates’ bats came alive with 15 hits, including three apiece from Pham, Bryan Reynolds, and Spencer Horwitz, the latter of whom added two doubles, three runs scored, and two RBIs.
Turning Point: The Fifth-Inning Surge
With the game tied 2–2 in the fifth, the Pirates exploded for five runs to take control. After Texas starter Jack Leiter (4-5) issued a leadoff walk to Oneil Cruz, Rangers manager Bruce Bochy turned to long reliever Caleb Boushley, but Pittsburgh capitalized on the change.
After a Reynolds single and a Nick Gonzales RBI knock, Horwitz doubled to right, where Adolis García misplayed the ball, allowing two runs to score. Ke’Bryan Hayes followed with an RBI single, and Pham capped the rally with a sharp RBI double to left, giving the Pirates a 7–2 lead.
Leiter lasted four-plus innings, giving up three runs on five hits with three walks. Boushley was tagged for five runs on seven hits across four innings in relief.
Rangers Strike First, But Can’t Keep Pace
Texas opened the scoring in the second after Bailey Falter (6-3) issued back-to-back walks. Josh Smith and Josh Jung each delivered RBI singles to put the Rangers up 2–0. Falter worked through command issues, tossing 5 1/3 innings, allowing three runs on six hits while walking five and striking out three.
Texas managed just one more run in the sixth on a sacrifice fly by Marcus Semien, but couldn’t muster a comeback against the Pirates bullpen, which combined for 3 2/3 scoreless innings.
Defensive Gem and Speed on Display
Hayes turned in a highlight-reel play in the third, robbing García of a two-run single with a diving stab to end the frame. Cruz, amid a prolonged slump (4-for-37), ignited the fifth-inning rally with a walk and aggressive baserunning that prevented a double play, later scoring the go-ahead run.
Next Up
The Pirates (31–48) travel to Milwaukee to open a series against the Brewers. A starting pitcher for Pittsburgh has yet to be announced. Brewers rookie RHP Chad Patrick (3-7, 3.50 ERA) will take the mound.
The Rangers (38–40) head to Baltimore, where LHP Patrick Corbin (4-6, 3.91 ERA) will face LHP Trevor Rogers (0-0, 3.12 ERA) in the opener of a tough road test against the Orioles.