Jack Leiter, Jake Burger propel Texas Rangers past Baltimore Orioles 5-2 at Camden Yards Monday

Rangers use early pressure and late insurance to take series-opening win in Baltimore

The Texas Rangers beat the Baltimore Orioles 5-2 on Monday, March 30, at Oriole Park at Camden Yards, using a combination of strike-throwing from right-hander Jack Leiter and timely hitting led by first baseman Jake Burger.

Texas scored in the first inning and built a 4-1 lead after four, then added an important run in the ninth to protect a three-run advantage. Baltimore, charged with two defensive errors in the game, produced seven hits but did not generate sustained offense against Leiter and a Rangers bullpen that avoided late damage.

Leiter sets the tone with six innings and eight strikeouts

Leiter delivered six innings of work and struck out eight, limiting Baltimore to two runs. He consistently worked ahead in counts and finished at-bats with swing-and-miss stuff, allowing Texas to control the game’s pace after the Orioles answered Texas’ first-inning run with one of their own.

The Orioles managed their second run in the fifth, but the deficit remained intact as Leiter completed his outing and handed a lead to the relief corps. Texas relievers closed out the final three innings, with the Rangers preserving the advantage despite Baltimore putting the ball in play and reaching base multiple times over the night.

Burger drives in two; Rangers capitalize on opportunities

Burger finished with two RBIs, including a key ninth-inning double that helped Texas create separation late. The Rangers totaled nine hits and produced scoring in three different innings, combining contact with situational execution to turn traffic on the bases into runs.

The Orioles’ two errors extended innings and increased the cost of otherwise routine outs. Texas took advantage by converting extra chances into runs, a deciding factor in a game where both teams had similar hit totals.

• Final score: Rangers 5, Orioles 2

• Texas hits: 9; Baltimore hits: 7

• Baltimore errors: 2; Texas errors: 0

• Leiter line: 6 innings, 8 strikeouts, 2 runs allowed

What it means moving forward

For Texas, the win reinforced a formula that travels: starting pitching that limits free baserunners and offense that adds on late rather than protecting narrow leads. For Baltimore, the game underscored two recurring themes that can swing close matchups early in the season—run prevention on the infield and the need to convert hits into multi-run innings against quality strikeout arms.

Texas led 4-2 entering the ninth before Burger’s RBI double provided an additional cushion to finish the game.