Rangers closer Will Smith had gotten out of the inherited bases loaded jam in the eighth unscathed, and the Pirates' ninth inning paled in comparison.
Jason Delay opened with a tapper for the first out. Chris Owings watched a 95 mph fastball go by for out No. 2. Finally, Andrew McCutchen lifted a fly out to center. Ball game, Rangers 3, Pirates 2.
For a team that was flying sky high in April, Wednesday afternoon's loss at PNC Park put the Pirates' head barely above .