Dunning took the loss in Thursday's 10-3 defeat to the Astros, allowing three runs on three hits and three walks over 2.2 innings. He struck out four.
Dunning has had a rough time in the postseason so far, contrasting with his 3.70 ERA in over 172 innings during the regular season. The right-hander had a roller coaster outing with his command, nullifying his strikeout gains by allowing too many free passes. He was replaced by Cody Bradford in the fourth inning after Dunning had loaded the bases, and Bradford promptly served up a sac fly and a home run to pin three runs onto Dunning's line. He now has a 7.71 ERA and 1.93 WHIP across 4.2 innings this postseason with five strikeouts.
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Rangers' Dane Dunning: Likely in piggyback role for ALDS
Rotowire
Dunning will not start Game 1 of the ALDS against the Orioles on Saturday as previously expected.
The left-handed Andrew Heaney is going to get the call instead, though it might be more of an opener assignment rather than a traditional start as the Rangers try to counter the O's propensity to platoon. Dunning did not pitch in the AL Wild Card Series and will presumably be available in a piggyback relief role Saturday at Baltimore. The 28-year-old right-hander posted a 3.70 ERA, 1.26 WHIP and 140:55 K:BB across 172.2 innings (26 starts, nine relief appearances) during the regular season.
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Rangers' Dane Dunning: Likely starting ALDS Game 1
Rotowire
Dunning is likely to start for the Rangers in Game 1 of the ALDS on Saturday at Baltimore, Evan Grant of the Dallas Morning News reports.
Dunning was not needed in the best-of-three AL Wild Card Series, with Texas earning a quick two-game sweep of the Rays, so he would be on five full days of rest for Saturday's ALDS opener versus the Orioles. Assuming the 28-year-old right-hander is indeed the pick for Game 1, the Rangers would probably then roll with Jordan Montgomery as their starter in ALDS Game 2 on Sunday followed by Nathan Eovaldi in ALDS Game 3 on Tuesday.
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Rangers' Dane Dunning: Unlucky loss Sunday
Rotowire
Dunning (12-7) allowed one run on four hits and a walk while striking out four over 3.1 innings to take the loss Sunday versus the Mariners.
Dunning was working on short rest, but it was the Rangers' lack of offense Sunday that led to the loss. The only run in the 1-0 game came after Dunning loaded the bases in the fourth inning and Martin Perez allowed an inherited runner to score on a groundout. Dunning had two quality starts and four outings with mixed results over his last six starts of the regular season, and he'll end with a 3.70 ERA, 1.26 WHIP and 140:55 K:BB through 172.2 innings across 35 appearances (26 starts). The right-hander likely won't be available for a start in the wild-card round versus the Rays.
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Rangers' Dane Dunning: Starting on short rest
Rotowire
Dunning will start Sunday's game against the Mariners, Evan Grant of The Dallas Morning News reports.
The Rangers will call on Dunning to pitch on only three days of rest with an opportunity to clinch the division on the line. He tossed a gem in his last outing Wednesday against the Angels by firing seven scoreless innings on 87 pitches, so it's unclear as to how long he'll be able to go Saturday.
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Rangers' Dane Dunning: Sharp in win over Angels
Rotowire
Dunning (12-6) allowed three hits and a walk while striking out seven over seven shutout innings to earn the win Wednesday over the Angels.
Dunning has kept runs off the board in two of his last three outings, though he still gave up 16 runs across 28.2 innings in five September starts. The right-hander has likely made his last regular-season start, posting a 3.72 ERA, 1.26 WHIP and 136:54 K:BB over 169.1 innings over 34 appearances (25 starts). It's unclear if Dunning will be considered for postseason starts in the likely event the Rangers clinch a playoff spot.
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Rangers' Dane Dunning: Stumbles late in win
Rotowire
Dunning (11-6) yielded four runs on four hits and two walks over 5.1 frames Friday, striking out two and earning a win over the Mariners.
Dunning rolled through five shutout frames before Cal Raleigh belted a three-run shot in the sixth inning. The Rangers were up 8-0 at that point, so Dunning still snagged his 11th win of the year and second of the month. Over his last nine starts, he's gone 2-2 while posting an unsightly 5.66 ERA. Dunning will carry a 3.88 ERA into his final outing of the regular season, which is lined up to come on the road against the Angels.
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Rangers' Dane Dunning: Delivers five scoreless frames
Rotowire
Dunning did not factor into the decision Saturday, allowing six hits and three walks over five scoreless innings in a 2-1 loss to Cleveland. He struck out five.
After surrendering 19 runs across his last four outings (19.1 innings), Dunning blanked the Guardians over five innings Saturday. While the start also marked Dunning's fifth consecutive appearance walking multiple batters, he was exceptional in limiting power, preventing Cleveland from registering an extra-base hit. The 28-year-old is tentatively scheduled to make his next appearance against the Mariners, who score the 10th most runs per game in MLB.
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Rangers' Dane Dunning: Picks up 10th win
Rotowire
Dunning (10-6) earned the win Monday, allowing three runs on six hits and three walks over six innings against Toronto. He struck out seven.
After allowing nine runs out of the bullpen in his last appearance, Dunning was sharp in his return to a starting role, recording a quality start and a win over the Blue Jays. The 28-year-old Dunning had struggled to a 6.13 ERA in his previous nine outings (47 innings). Overall, he sports a 3.91 ERA with a 1.28 WHIP and 122:48 K:BB across 152 innings this season. Dunning's currently lined up for a road matchup with the Guardians in his next start.
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Rangers' Dane Dunning: Returns to starting role Monday
Rotowire
Dunning is scheduled to start Monday's game in Toronto, Shawn McFarland of The Dallas Morning News reports.
For the first time since late April, Dunning worked out of the bullpen for his most recent appearance Sept. 5, covering 5.1 innings of long relief in a blowout loss to the Astros while giving up nine earned runs on 11 hits and two walks. Despite the rough showing, Dunning will step back into the rotation this week, taking the hill Monday for what would have been Andrew Heaney's turn. Heaney dazzled with six strikeouts over 3.2 scoreless innings in a relief appearance in Sunday's win over Oakland, but it's unclear if Heaney will continue to work out of the bullpen moving forward or if both he and Dunning will be included as part of a six-man rotation.
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Rangers' Dane Dunning: Throws bulk innings in loss
Rotowire
Dunning allowed nine runs on 11 hits and two walks while striking out four over 5.1 relief innings in Tuesday's 14-1 loss to Houston.
Dunning, who had been a regular member of the rotation since May, entered after starter Nathan Eovaldi was chased with one out in the second inning. Dunning gave the Rangers bulk innings, but he continued a trend of worrisome performances. The right-hander has allowed 16 runs on 21 hits (five home runs) and 10 walks in 13.1 innings over his last three outings. His use out of the bullpen precludes Dunning from any potential start until the weekend, although the Rangers do have five healthy starters (including Eovaldi). That Dunning was used as a long reliever Tuesday may indicate he's going to pitch out of the bullpen going forward.
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Rangers' Dane Dunning: Struggles again Wednesday
Rotowire
Dunning allowed three runs on five hits and two walks while striking out four batters over four innings in a no-decision against the Mets on Wednesday.
All of the damage against Dunning came in the second inning, when he gave up three runs, two of which came on back-to-back long balls by Daniel Vogelbach and DJ Stewart. Though Dunning put up a zero in each of his other frames, he needed 74 pitches to get through four innings and didn't make it to the mound for the fifth. The right-hander began August by posting a 2.18 ERA and 29:4 K:BB over 20.2 frames across his first three starts, but he ended the month much less positively, allowing 10 runs while recording a 14:9 K:BB across 11 innings over his past three appearances.
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Rangers' Dane Dunning: Struggles with command
Rotowire
Dunning (9-6) yielded four runs on five hits and six walks over four innings Friday, striking out six and taking a loss against the Twins.
All four runs against Dunning came during the first inning after he walked four of the first five batters he faced. While he didn't allow another run, he still loaded the bases twice more before leaving the contest. The six walks set a new season high while his ERA climbed to 3.36. In eight appearances since the All-Star break, Dunning has registered a 4.43 ERA. He's currently lined up for a road matchup with the Mets next week.
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Rangers' Dane Dunning: Allows two homers in loss
Rotowire
Dunning (9-5) took the loss Saturday, allowing three runs on seven hits and one walk over five innings against the Brewers. He struck out four.
Dunning surrendered a solo home run to Carlos Santana in the first and needed 26 pitches to get out of the inning. The right-hander would again get tagged for a solo shot in the sixth, this time off the bat of Willy Adames, marking just his third time allowing multiple home runs in a start this season. Dunning had logged three quality starts in a row coming in and still holds a 2.81 ERA in August to go along with a 33:5 K:BB. However, he's now lost four of his last five decisions and has allowed seven hits in two straight.
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Rangers' Dane Dunning: Racks up career-high 12 K's
Rotowire
Dunning allowed just one run on seven hits and no walks while striking out a career-high 12 batters in seven innings Sunday against the Giants. He did not factor into the decision.
Believe it or not, Dunning was actually in line for the loss when his day was done, but the Rangers were able to push the game to extras after scoring in the ninth. The only blemish on the day for him was a solo home run allowed to Michael Conforto in the second. The 28-year-old had set a career-best with 11 strikeouts Aug. 2 against the White Sox and turned in yet another masterpiece Sunday. He now has three 10-plus strikeout games over his last nine starts after having just one in his first 70 career starts. Dunning also became just the eighth pitcher in franchise history to throw at least 12 strikeouts without walking a batter. He now holds a 3.10 ERA, 1.14 WHIP and 97:34 K:BB in 127.2 innings and lines up to face the Brewers his next time out.
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Rangers' Dane Dunning: Turns in quality start
Rotowire
Dunning allowed three runs on five hits and three walks while striking out six over six innings in a no-decision Monday in the Rangers' 5-3 win over the Athletics.
Dunning notched his third quality start in five outings since the All-Star break, though it was a fairly pedestrian effort. He threw 55 of 94 pitches for strikes and walked multiple batters for the third time in that span. The right-hander is now at a 3.21 ERA, 1.15 WHIP and 85:34 K:BB through 120.2 innings over 25 appearances (17 starts) this season. Dunning is projected for a road start in San Francisco over the weekend.
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Rangers' Dane Dunning: Punches out 11 in easy win
Rotowire
Dunning (9-4) earned the win over the White Sox on Wednesday, allowing one run on three hits and one walk while striking out 11 batters over 7.2 innings.
Dunning was staked to a 7-0 lead after two frames and cruised from there, keeping Chicago off the scoreboard until Seby Zavala tagged him for a solo homer in the eighth. That was the only run Dunning gave up in a dominant outing during which he racked up 16 swinging strikes and a season-high 11 punchouts. This was a very positive start to August following an up-and-down July that saw the right-hander post a 5.06 ERA, 1.46 WHIP and 17:9 K:BB over 26.2 frames covering five starts.
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Rangers' Dane Dunning: Allows three runs in loss
Rotowire
Dunning (8-4) yielded three runs on five hits and three walks over five innings Friday, striking out four and taking a loss in San Diego.
Dunning allowed two runs through four innings before Fernando Tatis drilled a solo homer in the fifth. In five July starts, Dunning posted a 5.06 ERA and a lackluster 17:9 K:BB through 26.2 frames. His season ERA has jumped to 3.28 after entering the month at 2.69. Dunning's next outing is projected to be at home against the White Sox.
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Rangers' Dane Dunning: Clobbered by Dodgers
Rotowire
Dunning (8-3) took the loss Saturday as the Rangers were routed 16-3 by the Dodgers, coughing up five runs on seven hits and two walks over three innings. He struck out one.
Freddie Freeman and Max Muncy both took Dunning deep in the third inning, kicking an 18-hit, five-homer eruption from the Los Angeles offense into high gear. It's only the second time this season the right-hander has served up multiple home runs in an outing, but Dunning's early season stinginess has evaporated -- since the beginning of June, he has a 4.17 ERA, 1.28 WHIP and 32:16 K:BB through 54 innings, getting tagged for all nine of his homers allowed on the year during that time. He'll look to bounce back in his next start, which is likely to come next weekend in San Diego.
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Rangers' Dane Dunning: Falls to Nationals
Rotowire
Dunning (8-2) took the loss Sunday, allowing four runs on seven hits and two walks over 5.2 innings against the Nationals. He struck out four.
Though Dunning has had an impressive first half of 2023, he struggled against one of baseball's bottomfeeders, tying his season high in runs allowed and failing to finish six innings for the first time since June 17. However, all of the damage against Dunning came late, as a Dominic Smith solo homer in the fifth put the Nationals on the board. Through 20 appearances (12 starts), Dunning boasts an impressive 2.84 ERA but hasn't missed many bats, logging 59 Ks through 92 innings.
