BASEBALL: Jack Leiter helps Rangers shut down Orioles

Jack Leiter pitched six strong innings with eight strikeouts, and Jake Burger drove in two runs as the Texas Rangers defeated the visiting Baltimore Orioles 5-2 on Monday night to open their three-game series.

Relievers Jakob Junis, Jalen Beeks, and Tyler Alexander combined to finish the seven-hitter, each throwing one inning. The win extended the Rangers’ streak to three consecutive victories after a season-opening loss at Philadelphia. Brandon Nimmo had two hits and scored twice, while Evan Carter also added two hits for Texas.

Gunnar Henderson’s solo home run and run-scoring single accounted for both of Baltimore’s runs. Henderson, who entered the game 1-for-12 this season, was the only Oriole with more than one hit. Adley Rutschman contributed a double.

Orioles starter Chris Bassitt, making his debut with Baltimore, allowed four runs over 4 1/3 innings, throwing 100 pitches and taking the loss.

Leiter (1-0) gave up two runs on five hits and one walk in his first career appearance against Baltimore. Texas’ three relievers allowed only two singles with no walks. The Rangers’ only extra-base hits came from Burger and Carter, both doubles, while they stranded 12 runners on base.

Both teams scored in the first inning. Burger’s fielder’s choice grounder brought in the first run, and Henderson’s first home run of the season tied the game. Nimmo’s single in the second drove in Carter, and Texas added runs on Burger’s single and Joc Pederson’s sacrifice fly—Pederson’s first RBI of the season.

Henderson’s single in the fifth cut the Orioles’ deficit to 4-2, but Josh Smith’s single in the ninth extended the Rangers’ lead to 5-2.

The Orioles have scored more than two runs in only one of their first four games this season. Baltimore tried to spark the offense with two pinch hitters in the ninth inning, but both struck out.

-Field Level Media/Reuters