Albert Suárez pitched better than three-time Cy Young winner Max Scherzer as the Baltimore Orioles defeated the Texas Rangers 2-1 on Friday night, extending the Rangers’ recent long losing streak.
In his second start of the season after returning from an extended stay on the injured list, 39-year-old Scherzer allowed two runs and four hits over 5 1/3 innings. Despite this, the right-hander reached a personal milestone and provided hope that he could help improve the defending World Series champions’ disappointing season.
For the Rangers (37-45) to turn things around, they need to improve their hitting. Although Scherzer kept the Orioles’ strong offense at bay, Texas only managed four hits and scored its lone run in the seventh inning on four walks issued by Orioles relievers, the last one with the bases loaded.
“It’s tough going through something like this,” manager Bruce Bochy said. “We’re facing good pitching, but we had opportunities with runners on base and the right hitters up. We just couldn’t get the hit.”
Texas left eight runners on base and went 1 for 7 with runners in scoring position. However, given their late-season surge to win it all last year, Texas remains hopeful for a turnaround.
“Yeah, we’re in a rut. I understand that,” Scherzer acknowledged. “But momentum can change quickly. That’s baseball. Anything can happen.”
Suárez (4-2) surrendered three hits and did not issue any walks over six innings. The 34-year-old ended a two-game losing streak during which he had allowed a combined eight runs and 16 hits over 8 2/3 innings.
Texas has now lost five consecutive games, marking their fourth streak of at least five losses this season. Despite getting the potential tying run in scoring position in both the seventh and eighth innings, the Rangers failed to capitalize.
