Things turn for the worse for Texas Rangers in 'weird' late-inning loss to Pirates

Texas Rangers pitcher Jalen Beeks (68) looks down as Pittsburgh Pirates center fielder Oneil Cruz (15) runs the bases after hitting a home run during the ninth inning of a baseball game at Globe Life Field, Wednesday, April 22, 2026, in Arlington. (Chitose Suzuki/The Dallas Morning News) ARLINGTON — The batted ball that sunk the Rangers into a deficit wouldn't have even cracked the speed limit on the highways that encircle their home city. The one that left them in a hole that even these rally-ready Rangers couldn't climb out of would've had state troopers in pursuit.

The starter was great before he wound up head over heels while he watched an early lead fizzle. The team's most keen eye in the batter's box couldn't challenge a ghastly called strike three because he stepped outside of it. Wednesday's 8-4 loss vs.

the Pittsburgh Pirates at Globe Life Field, if the above doesn't do it justice, was "a weird game" from Rangers manager Skip Schumaker's vantage point. That was true to the game's final inning, when with the go-ahead run at third base, the Rangers got the desired result in a high-leverage situation and still wound up on the wrong end of baseball's volatility. The Rangers, one inning after they tied the game on a two-run single from Jake Burger, sent right-hander Cole Winn to the mound.

Winn allowed consecutive singles to third baseman Nick Gonzalez and first baseman Spencer Horwitz before he struck out shortstop Konnor Griffin with runners on the corners. The Pirates then pinch hit left-handed hitter Jake Mangum, and though the Rangers had left-hander Jalen Beeks warmed up in the bullpen, they kept Winn on. Winn, who'd held lefties to a .