ARLINGTON -- Rangers pitcher Shelby Miller was “fantastic” for three innings, according to manager Chris Woodward. The fourth inning was a different story against the Pirates on Wednesday afternoon.

Miller, after retiring nine of the first 10 batters faced, gave up four runs in the fourth while retiring just one batter. He left trailing 4-1 and the Rangers fell to the Pirates for the second straight game in a 7-5 loss at Globe Life Park.

“Frustrating,” Miller said. “Very disappointed with the outcome with the way I felt the first three innings.”

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The big inning continues to bedevil Miller. This marked the fifth straight game in which Miller has allowed three or more runs in an inning. That’s one big reason why he is now 1-2 with a 7.99 ERA in six starts.

“Anytime there are baserunners, it seems to be a little bit of an issue,” Woodward said. “He fell behind a lot of guys in that inning. In the first three innings, I thought he was fantastic, one hit and he did a really good job. It was just one of those things, it keeps snowballing and we can’t get out of it.”

Opponents are now 12-for-38 off Miller when there are runners on base. He has also walked 15 batters and hit two more in those situations. Counting three sacrifice flies, opponents have reached base in 29 of 58 plate appearances with runners on base.

“It is definitely where I am struggling right now,” Miller said. “I will fix it. I need to get my off-speed over better, which will eliminate them being on my heater as much. Really the walks are what’s killing me the most. Giving them a free base.”

Miller had a 1-0 lead going into the fourth. Starling Marte led off with a single and then Miller walked both Gregory Polanco and Josh Bell. Melky Cabrera followed with a single to tie the game.

Miller was able to retire Colin Moran on a popout and then fell behind 3-1 to Bryan Reynolds. Miller came in with a fastball and Reynolds doubled into left-center to bring home three runs.

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“I felt pretty good the whole time,” Miller said. “Obviously, I lost a little bit of command in the fourth inning with a runner on base. First three innings were smooth, pitches were there. Need to leave those big innings behind me. It seems like it has been a recipe all year, two innings, three innings scoreless then give up three to four runs in an inning. I have to find a way to eliminate those innings.”

Woodward pulled Miller at that point and brought in Ariel Jurado. The Rangers mounted a comeback late with home runs from Joey Gallo, Danny Santana and Shin-Soo Choo but couldn’t close the gap completely. The game ended with Pirates left-handed reliever Felipe Vazquez striking out Choo and Hunter Pence with runners at second and third to end the game.

“Obviously I didn’t want to have to pull [Miller] but with the off-day tomorrow, we had some arsenal to try and get us through it,” Woodward said. “ It’s unfortunate but for the first three innings, I thought Shelby looked really really good. It’s unfortunate it had to end that way.”