ARLINGTON – Until Sunday afternoon, Chase Burns had never pitched into the seventh inning for the Reds. With how well Burns was working against the Rangers over his first six scoreless innings -- plus a shorthanded bullpen -- manager Terry Francona decided to push his 23-year-old right-hander.
This time, it didn't work. Burns gave up a wind-aided, game-tying solo home run to Joc Pederson. But Cincinnati still emerged with a 2-1 win over Texas and secured a three-game series sweep at Globe Life Field. Elly De La Cruz's RBI single scored Matt McLain from second base for the go-ahead run in the top of the eighth inning.
The Reds are 6-3 through their first nine games; all of their 2026 wins have been by two or fewer runs.
Burns finished with one earned run and five hits over his six-plus innings with one walk and nine strikeouts. Over his two starts, he has a 0.82 ERA, which includes his five scoreless innings for his first Major League win on Monday vs. the Pirates.
The Reds held a 1-0 lead into the sixth inning on Eugenio Suárez's fourth-inning RBI single that scored De La Cruz. Burns had the tying run on second base and one out when he struck out Jake Burger to escape.
With back-of-the-bullpen relievers Graham Ashcraft, Tony Santillan and closer Emilio Pagán all unavailable after pitching the previous two games, the Reds needed more from Burns, who had 80 pitches through six innings.
Leading off the bottom of the seventh inning, Pederson lifted his game-tying homer to right field. The ballpark roof was open and a stiff wind blowing to right field added 25 feet to the drive, according to Statcast.
After the next batter, Evan Carter, had an infield hit on Burns’ 87th pitch, the right-hander was lifted. Pierce Johnson took over and gave up a walk and a wild pitch. Taking over with two outs, Sam Moll ended the jam. Connor Phillips handled the eighth inning and survived two-out danger from a double and a walk.