Josh Jung hits tiebreaking single in 9th inning as Rangers rally for 5-4 win over Rockies

Texas Rangers' Josh Jung hits an RBI single to drive in the go-ahead run off Colorado Rockies pitcher Juan Mejia in the ninth inning of a baseball game Wednesday, May 20, 2026, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)

DENVER (AP) — Josh Jung hit a go-ahead single in the ninth inning, Ezequiel Duran and Jake Burger connected for back-to-back home runs, and the Texas Rangers rallied past the Colorado Rockies 5-4 on Wednesday.

Joc Pederson reached on catcher's interference with one out in the ninth. Consecutive singles loaded the bases, and Pederson scored the tying run on Brett Sullivan's passed ball. Jung then singled off Juan Mejia, putting the Rangers up 5-4.

Jung scored on Duran's two-run shot in the fourth, and Burger followed with another homer that gave Texas a 3-1 lead.

Jacob Latz (1-1) pitched two scoreless innings for the win. He allowed one hit and struck out four.

Brennan Bernardino (2-2) gave up two hits in the ninth. He was charged with a pair of unearned runs.

Jung and Justin Foscue both had three hits for the Rangers, who took two of three games in the series at Coors Field.

Rangers right fielder Brandon Nimmo left in the fifth with right hamstring tightness after hitting a single.

TJ Rumfield had an RBI single for the Rockies in the first. Texas starter Jack Leiter walked Kyle Karros with the bases loaded in the fourth, trimming the margin to 3-2.

Tyler Freeman and Troy Johnston each had a run-scoring single in the fifth to give Colorado a 4-3 advantage.

Leiter permitted four runs and seven hits in five innings. Rockies starter Kyle Freeland yielded three runs and seven hits in 4 2/3 innings.

Up next

Rangers: RHP Jacob deGrom (3-3, 3.02 ERA) is scheduled to start Friday night on the road against Grayson Rodriguez (0-1, 17.18) and the Los Angeles Angels.

Rockies: RHP Tomoyuki Sugano (4-3, 4.02 ERA) pitches Thursday night in Arizona against LHP Eduardo Rodriguez (4-1, 2.53).

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

Texas Rangers second baseman Justin Foscue, left, congratulates shortstop Ezequiel Duran after defeating the Colorado Rockies in a baseball game Wednesday, May 20, 2026, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)
Colorado Rockies relief pitcher Juan Mejia reacts after giving up the go-ahead run to Texas Rangers' Josh Jung on an RBI single in the ninth inning of a baseball game Wednesday, May 20, 2026, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)
Colorado Rockies pinch-hitter Braxton Fulford catches his batting helmet as he strikes out against Texas Rangers relief pitcher Jacob Latz in the ninth inning of a baseball game Wednesday, May 20, 2026, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)
Texas Rangers' Brandon Nimmo, right, confers with manager Skip Schumaker, center, and a trainer before leaving the field after legging out a single in the fifth inning of a baseball game agaisnt the Colorado Rockies, Wednesday, May 20, 2026, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)