Rookie Wyatt Langford’s single, hit with two outs in the 9th inning, brought pinch-runner Ezequiel Duran home, securing a 1-0 victory for the Texas Rangers over the Pittsburgh Pirates on Wednesday.

In the bottom of the 9th, Jonah Heim and Adolis García both singled off Pirates’ pitcher David Bednar (3-6). Duran, running for Heim, moved to third base on a deep flyout by Nathaniel Lowe. After García stole second, Bednar struck out Josh Jung with a 3-2 fastball. Langford then delivered the decisive blow with an RBI single to center field on a 2-1 curveball.

Before Langford’s game-winning hit, the Rangers had struggled with runners in scoring position, going 0 for 9 in such situations.

The crucial hit ended a 22-inning scoreless streak for the Rangers in the series, helping them secure two of the three games against the Pirates and breaking a streak of seven consecutive series losses.

Kirby Yates (5-2) closed out the game with a perfect 9th inning for the Rangers, who have won three of their last four games. Rangers starter Andrew Heaney pitched five scoreless innings, allowing five hits and one walk while striking out eight. Despite his MLB-leading 13 losses and low run support, Heaney’s performance was strong, and his effort was praised by Rangers manager Bruce Bochy.

Pittsburgh’s Domingo Germán also pitched well, throwing six scoreless innings in his first major league start of the year, allowing three singles and four walks. Germán, who had previously pitched a perfect game for the Yankees in June 2023, had been recalled from Triple-A Indianapolis on August 9.

Despite several scoring opportunities, including having the bases loaded twice, the Pirates went 0 for 6 with runners in scoring position, leaving 10 runners stranded and striking out 16 times. Pirates manager Derek Shelton noted that missed opportunities and a few key plays could have changed the outcome of the game.

Rangers: Bochy said if all goes well in Friday’s scheduled rehab start by RHP Max Scherzer (arm fatigue) at Double-A Frisco, the 40-year-old three-time Cy Young Award winner should start next week when the club visits the Chicago White Sox.