Chandler, Pirates Routed By Rangers in Rubber Match
Rookie right-hander Bubba Chandler and the Pittsburgh Pirates were routed 6-1 by the Texas Rangers in Thursday’s rubber match at Globe Life Field.
Scoring Plays
Bottom 3rd, 2-0 TEX: Evan Carter hit a two-run inside-the-park home run off Pirates starter Bubba Chandler (1-2). Ryan O’Hearn couldn’t track down a deep fly to right-center and the ball bounced hard off the wall giving Carter enough time to circle the bases.
Bottom 4th, 6-0 TEX: The Rangers (13-12) tacked on four more runs off Chandler. Joc Pederson singled home Josh Smith and Corey Seager whacked a three-run homerto right field.
Top 5th, 6-1 TEX: Oneil Cruz hit his second home run in as many games with a solo shot to right-center field off Rangers starter Jacob deGrom (2-0).
Key Moment
The Pirates (14-11) had the bases loaded with two outs in the sixth inning but Rangers third baseman Josh Jung robbed Konnor Griffin of at least a base hit and two RBI with a great diving play.
Player of the Game
Jacob deGrom earned his second win of the season after holding the Pirates to one run on five hits in 5.1 innings. His 10 strikeouts were the most he had in a game since last year on May 10 against the Detroit Tigers (also 10).
Stat to Know
There have been four instances of a Pirates player hitting at least eight home runs in March/April of a season: Willie Stargell (11 in 1971), Jeff King (nine in 1996), Oneil Cruz (eight in 2025) and Cruz again this year with eight homers and seven games remaining before May.
Notable Performances
- Bubba Chandler 4.0 innings, seven hits, six runs, three walks, four strikeouts, 78 pitches/46 strikes
- Oneil Cruz: 1 for 4, one home run, one RBI, one run
- Nick Gonzales: 2 for 3, one HBP
Noteworthy
- Nick Gonzales has hit safely in four straight games and has multiple hits in three of those four games. He’s batting .467 (7 for 15) during that span.
Up Next
The Pirates will travel to Milwaukee for the start of a three-game series with the Brewers on Friday night. RHP Paul Skenes (3-1, 3.27 ERA) will start for Pittsburgh opposite RHP Brandon Woodruff (2-0, 3.42 ERA). First pitch: 7:40 pm. ET.
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