Albert Suárez outperformed three-time Cy Young winner Max Scherzer as the Baltimore Orioles edged out the Texas Rangers 2-1 on Friday night, prolonging the Rangers’ losing streak.

In his second start of the season following a lengthy stint on the injured list, 39-year-old Scherzer gave up two runs and four hits over 5 1/3 innings. Despite this, he reached a personal milestone and showed promise that he could help improve the defending World Series champions’ struggling season.

For the Rangers (37-45) to bounce back, their hitting needs to improve. Though Scherzer limited the Orioles’ potent offense, Texas managed only four hits and scored their only run in the seventh inning on four walks by Orioles relievers, the last one with the bases loaded.

“It’s tough going through something like this,” manager Bruce Bochy said. “We’re facing good pitching, but we had opportunities with runners on base and the right hitters up. We just couldn’t get the hit.”

Texas left eight runners on base and went 1 for 7 with runners in scoring position. However, given their late-season surge to win it all last year, Texas remains hopeful for a turnaround.

“Yeah, we’re in a rut. I understand that,” Scherzer acknowledged. “But momentum can change quickly. That’s baseball. Anything can happen.”

Suárez (4-2) gave up three hits and didn’t issue any walks over six innings. The 34-year-old snapped a two-game losing streak during which he had allowed a total of eight runs and 16 hits over 8 2/3 innings.

Texas has now lost five straight games, marking their fourth streak of at least five losses this season. Despite getting the potential tying run into scoring position in both the seventh and eighth innings, the Rangers couldn’t capitalize.