ARLINGTON, Texas (Interstat) — In a taut pitchers’ duel that defied pregame projections, the Cincinnati Reds edged the Texas Rangers 2-1 on Sunday evening at Globe Life Park to secure a series sweep.

A crowd of 31,561 watched as the game, which began in the afternoon and concluded under the lights, unfolded in a brisk 2 hours and 53 minutes, dominated by strikeouts and defensive precision. The victory improved the Reds to 6-3, while the Rangers fell to 4-5.

The most critical sequence of the game occurred in the bottom of the seventh and top of the eighth innings, a pivotal exchange that ultimately decided the outcome. Texas, trailing 1-0, finally broke through against Reds starter Chase Burns when Joc Pederson led off the inning with a solo home run to right field, tying the game. The Rangers then put the go-ahead run on third with one out after a successful challenge turned an out into an infield single for Evan Carter. The threat was magnified by a walk that put two runners on. Reds reliever Pierce Johnson, however, escaped the jam by striking out pinch-hitter Andrew McCutchen and, after Sam Moll entered the game, getting Brandon Nimmo to strike out on a foul tip, stranding the potential lead run.

Cincinnati immediately answered in the top of the eighth against Rangers reliever Robert Garcia. Matt McLain worked a leadoff walk. The next batter, Elly De La Cruz, grounded a single through the right side, scoring McLain all the way from first to restore the Reds’ lead at 2-1. The rally continued, loading the bases with one out, but Texas avoided further damage when Tyler Stephenson lined into an unconventional 5-4-3 double play, with second baseman Josh Smith catching the liner and doubling off De La Cruz at third.

The game was defined by exceptional starting pitching. Cincinnati’s Chase Burns, named the team’s top star, delivered six strong innings, allowing one run on five hits while matching a career-high with nine strikeouts. He consistently worked out of trouble, stranding Rangers in scoring position in the third and sixth innings.

His counterpart, Texas’s Jack Leiter, was equally brilliant. Over five innings, he surrendered just one run on four hits and also struck out nine. The lone blemish against him came in the fourth, when De La Cruz singled, stole second and scored on a two-out RBI single by Eugenio Suárez.

After the dramatic eighth, Cincinnati’s bullpen slammed the door. Brock Burke, facing his former team, earned a harrowing save in the ninth by striking out the side, preserving the one-run lead and the series sweep.

The result contradicted statistical forecasts, as Interstat’s game simulator had projected a 5-3 Rangers victory, giving Texas a 54.2 percent probability to win. The combined three total runs fell dramatically under the over/under line of 8.

The Reds’ bullpen combined for three scoreless innings, allowing just one hit and striking out five. Sam Moll, who recorded the final out of the seventh, was credited with the win. Garcia took the loss for Texas.

Cincinnati out-hit Texas nine to six. De La Cruz and Suárez each had two hits and an RBI for the Reds. For Texas, Pederson’s homer accounted for the only run, while Nimmo and Kyle Higashioka each had two hits.

The Reds have now won four of their last five games and will travel to Miami to open a four-game series against the Marlins on Monday. The Rangers, who have lost three straight, will remain at home to begin a three-game set with the Seattle Mariners on Monday.