Dunning did not factor into the decision in Monday's 4-3 win against Pittsburgh, allowing three runs on five hits and one walk over four innings. He struck out four.
The Rangers right-hander pitched well through three scoreless innings before unraveling in the fourth, when the Pirates knocked three hits, capped by Jared Triolo a three-run homer. The long ball once again undid Dunning in this start, as he has allowed 13 homers across 68 innings over 14 starts (1.7 HR/9) while yielding just two over 18.1 relief innings (1.0 HR/9). Overall, the 29-year-old has pitched to a 5.00 ERA, 1.41 WHIP and 85:39 K:BB this season. Jose Urena picked up the win Thursday in relief while Max Scherzer (shoulder) and Jacob deGrom (elbow) are both rehabbing their injuries, so Dunning's place in the Texas rotation is unsteady. If he remains a starter, the righty lines up to make his next outing against the Guardians on the road this weekend.