Wyatt Langford's single with 2 out in 9th inning lifts Rangers past Pirates 1-0

ARLINGTON, Texas (AP) — Rookie Wyatt Langford’s single scored pinch-runner Ezequiel Duran with two out in the ninth inning, giving the Texas Rangers a 1-0 win over the Pittsburgh Pirates on Wednesday.

Jonah Heim and Adolis García singled off David Bednar (3-6) to open Texas’ half of the ninth. Duran, running for Heim, advanced to third on a flyout to deep right field by Nathaniel Lowe. Bednar struck out Josh Jung on a 3-2 fastball after García stole second base. Langford then laced an RBI single to center field on a 2-1 curve.

The Rangers, who have dropped from third in the majors in runs last year en route to winning the World Series to 18th, had been 0 for 9 with runners in scoring position before Langford’s single.

“Anytime you’re in that situation you want to get a big hit,” Langford said. “It was cool to come through.”

The winning run ended a streak of 22 scoreless innings in the series for the Rangers, who claimed two of three games against the Pirates and ended a string of seven consecutive lost series.

Kirby Yates (5-2) pitched a perfect ninth inning for the Rangers, who have won three of their last four games.

Rangers starter Andrew Heaney worked five scoreless innings, allowing five hits and one walk while striking out eight. The 33-year-old left-hander entered the game with an MLB-leading 13 losses and the eighth-lowest run support among AL qualifiers at 3.84 per game. He received no run support Wednesday.

“Good stuff. Location. Poise, which he usually has with men on base,” Rangers manager Bruce Bochy said of Heaney. “The record’s not indicative of how he’s been throwing the ball.”

Pittsburgh’s Domingo Germán pitched six scoreless innings, giving up three singles and four walks in his first major league start this year. Germán, who pitched a perfect game for the New York Yankees in June 2023, made three relief appearances for Pittsburgh after being recalled on Aug. 9 from Triple-A Indianapolis.

“The last start he had was Aug. 3, so for him to give us six innings was outstanding,” Pirates manager Derek Shelton said. “He really did a good job of keeping them off balance.”

The Pirates went 0 for 6 with runners in scoring position, left 10 runners on and struck out 16 times.

“Had some opportunities. Had the bases loaded twice,” Shelton said. “We just didn’t get a hit that we needed to break the game open.”

Pittsburgh put its first two hitters aboard in the seventh on singles by Yasmani Grandal and pinch-hitter Billy McKinney. With the infield in, Kiner-Falefa faked a bunt and lined to first baseman Lowe, who beat McKinney back to the bag for an unassisted double play. Bryan Reynolds struck out to end the threat.

“That ball’s one foot or six inches right or left and all of a sudden we have a double and we scored two runs,” Shelton said.

TRAINER’S ROOM

Rangers: Bochy said if all goes well in Friday’s scheduled rehab start by RHP Max Scherzer (arm fatigue) at Double-A Frisco, the 40-year-old three-time Cy Young Award winner should start next week when the club visits the Chicago White Sox.

UP NEXT

Pirates: All-Star rookie RHP Paul Skenes (7-2, 2.30 ERA) will begin a four-game home series on Thursday against Cincinnati. Skenes has pitched 125 1/3 innings this year with Pittsburgh and Indianapolis after throwing 129 last year for LSU and three Pirates minor league teams.

Rangers: RHP Nathan Eovaldi (8-7, 3.76) will pitch Friday’s series opener at Cleveland against RHP Tanner Bibee (10-5, 3.33).

AP MLB: https://apnews.com/hub/mlb

Texas Rangers relief pitcher Jose Leclerc throws to the Pittsburgh Pirates in the sixth inning of a baseball game, Wednesday, Aug. 21, 2024, in Arlington, Texas. (AP Photo/Tony Gutierrez)

Pittsburgh Pirates' Domingo German (0) throws to the Texas Rangers in the fourth inning of a baseball game, Wednesday, Aug. 21, 2024, in Arlington, Texas. (AP Photo/Tony Gutierrez)

Pittsburgh Pirates shortstop Oneil Cruz throws to first to complete the double play against Texas Rangers' Jonah Heim after forcing Corey Seager, right, at second in the third inning of a baseball game, Wednesday, Aug. 21, 2024, in Arlington, Texas. (AP Photo/Tony Gutierrez)

Pittsburgh Pirates shortstop Oneil Cruz throws to first over Texas Rangers' Wyatt Langford (36) to complete a ground out by Travis Jankowski in the second inning of a baseball game, Wednesday, Aug. 21, 2024, in Arlington, Texas. (AP Photo/Tony Gutierrez)

Pittsburgh Pirates' Yasmani Grandal follows through on a double play swing that left Jared Triolo out at second in the second inning of a baseball game against the Texas Rangers, Wednesday, Aug. 21, 2024, in Arlington, Texas. (AP Photo/Tony Gutierrez)

Pittsburgh Pirates starting pitcher Domingo German throws to the Texas Rangers in the first inning of a baseball game, Wednesday, Aug. 21, 2024, in Arlington, Texas. (AP Photo/Tony Gutierrez)

Texas Rangers starting pitcher Andrew Heaney throws to the Pittsburgh Pirates in the first inning of a baseball game, Wednesday, Aug. 21, 2024, in Arlington, Texas. (AP Photo/Tony Gutierrez)

Texas Rangers' Cody Bradford pours water on Wyatt Langford (36) as the team celebrates Langford's run-scoring single in the ninth inning of a baseball game against the Pittsburgh Pirates, Wednesday, Aug. 21, 2024, in Arlington, Texas. (AP Photo/Tony Gutierrez)

Texas Rangers' Kirby Yates, left, pulls on the jersey of Wyatt Langford, right, as Jonah Heim, left rear, Nathaniel Lowe, center, Marcus Semien, right rear, and the rest of the team celebrate Langford's run-scoring single in the ninth inning of a baseball game against the Pittsburgh Pirates, Wednesday, Aug. 21, 2024, in Arlington, Texas. (AP Photo/Tony Gutierrez)

Texas Rangers' Wyatt Langford follows through on a run-scoring single as Pittsburgh Pirates catcher Yasmani Grandal, right, looks on in the ninth inning of a baseball game, Wednesday, Aug. 21, 2024, in Arlington, Texas. (AP Photo/Tony Gutierrez)

MIAMI GARDENS, Fla. (AP) — Buffalo fans cheered so loudly in Hard Rock Stadium that Bills coach Sean McDermott was asked if it was a home game.

It wasn't. But Buffalo certainly gave fans who made the trip to South Florida plenty to celebrate Thursday night.

James Cook caught a touchdown pass and ran for two scores and the Bills routed Miami 31-10, with Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa leaving early because of a concussion.

Tagovailoa left in the third quarter after colliding with defensive back Damar Hamlin and hitting the back of his head against the turf. Tagovailoa was quickly ruled out with the concussion, casting doubt on his season after a history of dealing with head injuries.

“Very sad. It’s the worst part of the game," Bills quarterback Josh Allen said. “Nothing but love and prayers to him and his family, and hopefully everyone is sending those because he's going to need them.”

Coach Mike McDaniel did not specify if the Dolphins will place Tagovailoa on injured reserve, saying the team would evaluate him more Friday.

“I'm just worried about my teammate like the rest of the guys are,” McDaniel said. “We'll get more information tomorrow and then take it day by day from there.”

Allen, playing with a glove on his left non-throwing hand after hurting it in Buffalo's opener, completed 13 of 19 passes for 139 yards. He's 12-2 against the Dolphins, and the Bills are 14-2 against Miami since McDermott’s first year as head coach in 2017.

McDermott praised the outing from his defense, which had three turnovers and held Miami's high-flying offense to a touchdown and field goal despite missing several starters.

“Next man up. The guys did a great job,” McDermott said. “These guys work hard. Good things happen when you work hard, and sometimes the ball finds you like that.”

Cook caught a 17-yard touchdown pass from Allen and scored on runs of 1 and 49 yards in the first half, flipping into the end zone when he gave the Bills a 24-7 lead. The three first-half touchdowns tied a team record.

“As long as they trust me, I’m going to get in the end zone,” Cook said.

Allen didn't appear limited by the left hand that he hurt after hurdling safety Budda Baker in Buffalo's opener against the Cardinals. He had his hand heavily wrapped before returning to finish that game and practiced all week with a glove to protect it.

After the game and before leaving the field, Allen held up his hand and flexed it in front of fans as if to display that it's not broken.

“Feels great,” Allen said later.

Backup Mitchell Trubisky replaced Allen late in the fourth Thursday with Buffalo up by 21.

Miami’s star receiver Tyreek Hill was held to three catches for 24 yards during a week in which he dominated national headlines. Hill was pulled from his sports car by Miami-Dade County police officers, pushed face-first onto a street and handcuffed during a traffic stop outside the Dolphins’ home stadium hours before their season opener.

Officer Danny Torres was placed on administrative duty as the department’s director launched an internal affairs investigation. Hill said he wants the officer fired, but the 30-year-old also acknowledged he could have handled the interaction better in the moment.

Buffalo scored 10 points off two first-half turnovers by Tagovailoa. Ja'Marcus Ingram intercepted Tagovailoa's pass on a tipped ball intended for receiver Grant DuBose on Miami's opening drive. Then Christian Benford picked off a pass on what appeared to be miscommunication between the quarterback and receiver Robbie Chosen. Both DuBose and Chosen arrived to the team after the preseason.

Tagovailoa thew another interception to Ingram trying to toss the ball out of bounds on Miami's opening drive of the third. Ingram returned the ball 31 yards for a score that put Buffalo up 31-10. It was Tagovailoa's third career game with three interceptions.

Tagovailoa ran for a first down with 4:36 in the third and collided head-first into Hamlin and hit his head on the ground.

Bills players, as well as Tagovailoa's teammates, immediately waved for trainers to come to the field. The fifth-year quarterback was helped to his feet after a few minutes and walked under his own power to the locker room with trainers after throwing for 145 yards and a 5-yard touchdown to De'Von Achane.

Tagovailoa was diagnosed with two concussions in 2022. Skylar Thompson replaced him Thursday.

“I'm not worried about anything that's out of my hands," McDaniel said. "I'm just worried about the human being. He'll drive the ship when we get the appropriate information.”

Bills: Middle linebacker and captain Terrel Bernard left with a pectoral injury in the first quarter and did not return.

Dolphins: Starting offensive linemen Terron Armstead and Rob Jones both left with shoulder injuries. ... Jeff Wilson Jr. left with an oblique injury and did not return.

Bills: Host Jacksonville on Monday, Sept. 23.

Dolphins: At Seattle on Sunday, Sept. 22.

AP NFL: https://apnews.com/hub/nfl

Buffalo Bills cornerback Christian Benford (47) runs after intercepting a pass during the first half of an NFL football game against the Miami Dolphins, Thursday, Sept. 12, 2024, in Miami Gardens, Fla. (AP Photo/Rebecca Blackwell)

Miami Dolphins running back De'Von Achane (28) is congratulated by his teammates after scoring a touchdown during the first half of an NFL football game against the Buffalo Bills, Thursday, Sept. 12, 2024, in Miami Gardens, Fla. (AP Photo/Lynne Sladky)

Buffalo Bills cornerback Ja'Marcus Ingram (46) reacts after scoring a touchdown after intercepting a pass during the second half of an NFL football game against the Miami Dolphins, Thursday, Sept. 12, 2024, in Miami Gardens, Fla. (AP Photo/Rebecca Blackwell)

Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen (17) looks to pass the ball during the first half of an NFL football game against the Miami Dolphins, Thursday, Sept. 12, 2024, in Miami Gardens, Fla. (AP Photo/Rebecca Blackwell)

Buffalo Bills running back James Cook (4) scores a touchdown during the first half of an NFL football game against the Miami Dolphins, Thursday, Sept. 12, 2024, in Miami Gardens, Fla. (AP Photo/Lynne Sladky)

Buffalo Bills running back James Cook (4) holds onto the ball to score a touchdown during the first half of an NFL football game against the Miami Dolphins, Thursday, Sept. 12, 2024, in Miami Gardens, Fla. (AP Photo/Lynne Sladky)

Miami Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa (1) collides with Buffalo Bills safety Damar Hamlin (3) during the second half of an NFL football game, Thursday, Sept. 12, 2024, in Miami Gardens, Fla. Tagovailoa was injured on the play. (AP Photo/Rebecca Blackwell)

Miami Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa (1) is assisted on the field during the second half of an NFL football game against the Buffalo Bills, Thursday, Sept. 12, 2024, in Miami Gardens, Fla. (AP Photo/Rebecca Blackwell)

Miami Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa (1) is assisted on the field during the second half of an NFL football game against the Buffalo Bills, Thursday, Sept. 12, 2024, in Miami Gardens, Fla. (AP Photo/Rebecca Blackwell)

Buffalo Bills running back James Cook (4) scores a touchdown during the first half of an NFL football game against the Miami Dolphins, Thursday, Sept. 12, 2024, in Miami Gardens, Fla. (AP Photo/Lynne Sladky)