Chase Burns' gem paces Reds in gritty 2-1 win, series sweep of Rangers

The Reds' bullpen covered for Burns with three scoreless innings, holding the Rangers' powerful lineup at bay in high-leverage situations.

Apr. 5, 2026 at 10:18pm

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Despite scoring just nine runs in three games against the Texas Rangers this weekend, the Reds still took all three games from a team that won the World Series just three years ago. Sunday, it was Chase Burns' gem, a gritty effort by four relievers, and timely hitting that gave the Reds a 2-1 win and the series sweep in their first road series of the season.

Why it matters

The Reds' ability to win close, low-scoring games against a talented Rangers team demonstrates their resilience and ability to win in different ways, not just by outscoring opponents. This series sweep on the road is an early statement that the Reds are a force to be reckoned with in the NL Central.

The details

Burns delivered the best outing of his career Sunday, pitching six-plus dominant innings with nine strikeouts and one walk. The Reds' bullpen covered for him with three scoreless innings, holding the Rangers' powerful lineup at bay in high-leverage situations over the course of the final three innings. Eugenio Suárez and Elly De La Cruz came up with clutch RBI singles to get the Reds enough runs to finish off the sweep, showcasing this team's capability of getting the clutch hits and runs when they really need them.

  • On Sunday, April 5, 2026, the Reds defeated the Rangers 2-1 to complete a series sweep in Arlington, Texas.
  • Chase Burns pitched six-plus dominant innings, striking out nine batters.
  • Eugenio Suárez and Elly De La Cruz drove in the Reds' two runs with timely RBI singles.

The players

Chase Burns

The Reds' starting pitcher who delivered a gem, pitching six-plus innings with nine strikeouts.

Eugenio Suárez

The Reds' third baseman who drove in the team's first run with an RBI single.

Elly De La Cruz

The Reds' young star who delivered the game-winning RBI single in the eighth inning.

Evan Carter

The Rangers' outfielder who stole a base and put a runner in scoring position in a key late-inning situation.

Brandon Nimmo

The Rangers' outfielder who struck out swinging with two runners on base to end a crucial seventh-inning threat.

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What’s next

The Reds continue their first road trip of the season this week when they travel to Miami to take on the Marlins. It will be a four-game series, spanning from Monday to Thursday, at LoanDepot Park in Miami.

The takeaway

The Reds' ability to win a series sweep on the road against the defending World Series champions, despite scoring just nine runs in the three games, shows the team's resilience, pitching depth, and clutch hitting. This early-season success is an encouraging sign that the Reds are a force to be reckoned with in the NL Central.