Home MLB Seager, Rocker Guide Rangers Past Pirates 3-2 for Series Win in Pittsburgh

Seager, Rocker Guide Rangers Past Pirates 3-2 for Series Win in Pittsburgh

June 21, 2025
MLB, Team Coverage

PITTSBURGH — Corey Seager delivered a go-ahead RBI single in the sixth inning and rookie Kumar Rocker earned his second consecutive win as the Texas Rangers edged the Pittsburgh Pirates 3-2 on Saturday afternoon at PNC Park.

Seager’s sharp line drive to center plated Josh Smith and gave the Rangers a 2-1 lead, which Marcus Semien extended moments later with a sacrifice fly. That small-ball push proved decisive, as Texas’ bullpen locked down the win to clinch the three-game series.

Rocker (3-4) continued his recent upward trend, allowing two runs on five hits over 5 1/3 innings. He built off a scoreless outing last Sunday against the White Sox and showed poise when needed. The Rangers’ bullpen trio of Shawn Armstrong, Hoby Milner, and Chris Martin handled the final 11 outs, with Martin recording his second save of the season.

Mitch Keller (1-10) took another tough-luck loss, despite surrendering only three hits across 5 2/3 innings. He hasn’t won a decision since March 28 and now owns the longest losing streak by a Pirates pitcher since Jose DeLeon’s 11-game skid in 1985.

Pittsburgh briefly tied the game 1-1 in the fifth on a Nick Gonzales sacrifice fly, and trimmed the lead back to one in the sixth after Henry Davis grounded out to drive in a run. But the Pirates’ biggest threat fizzled when Ke’Bryan Hayes popped out with two on to end the inning.

Texas (38-39) played shorthanded for a second straight day as Jake Burger (oblique strain) landed on the 10-day injured list and Wyatt Langford (back spasms) remained out. Still, the Rangers found enough offense to hand Pittsburgh its sixth loss in seven games.

Bryan Reynolds, activated from the paternity list Saturday, went 0-for-4 in his return to the Pirates’ lineup after welcoming his newborn son earlier in the week.