Rangers Top Orioles 5-2 Behind Leiter and Burger

Rookie pitcher and slugger power Texas to early season win

Mar. 31, 2026 at 3:28am

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A fragmented, geometric painting featuring angular, colorful shapes that represent the players, field, and action of a baseball game, conveying the dynamic energy of the sport through an abstract, cubist-inspired style.An abstract, cubist-inspired illustration captures the intensity and movement of a pivotal moment in the Rangers-Orioles matchup.Baltimore Today

The Texas Rangers defeated the Baltimore Orioles 5-2 on Monday night, led by a strong pitching performance from rookie Jack Leiter and a two-RBI game from slugger Jake Burger. Leiter struck out eight batters over six solid innings to earn his first career win, while Burger drove in a pair of runs to pace the Rangers' offense.

Why it matters

The Rangers are looking to bounce back from a disappointing 2025 season, and this early season victory over the Orioles is an encouraging sign for their young core of talent. Leiter, a top pitching prospect, showed why he's considered one of the team's top up-and-coming arms, while Burger continued to establish himself as a middle-of-the-order threat.

The details

Leiter, the Rangers' first-round draft pick in 2021, allowed just two runs on four hits over his six innings of work. He struck out eight batters and walked only two, showcasing the electric stuff that made him a highly touted prospect. Burger, who was acquired in a trade with the Chicago White Sox last year, drove in a pair of runs with a double and a sacrifice fly to provide the offensive support.

  • The game was played on Monday, March 31, 2026.
  • Leiter earned his first career win with the victory.

The players

Jack Leiter

A 23-year-old right-handed pitcher and top pitching prospect for the Texas Rangers.

Jake Burger

A 26-year-old infielder and power hitter who was acquired by the Rangers in a trade last year.

Texas Rangers

A Major League Baseball team based in Arlington, Texas that competes in the American League West division.

Baltimore Orioles

A Major League Baseball team based in Baltimore, Maryland that competes in the American League East division.

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What they’re saying

“Jack really set the tone for us tonight with his performance on the mound. He's got electric stuff and he showed why he's one of the top young arms in the game.”

— Chris Woodward, Rangers Manager

“I'm just trying to do my part to help this team win. It was great to contribute with a couple RBIs and support Jack's great outing.”

— Jake Burger, Rangers Infielder

What’s next

The Rangers and Orioles will continue their three-game series on Tuesday night, with the Rangers looking to build on this early season victory.

The takeaway

This win showcases the promising young talent the Rangers have assembled, with Leiter and Burger leading the way. If they can continue to get strong performances from their top prospects, the Rangers could be poised to bounce back and challenge for a playoff spot in 2026.