The Texas Rangers continue waiting for Jack Leiter to find the level of consistency needed to stabilize the rotation.

The latest example came Friday night against the Boston Red Sox in another outing that showed flashes but ultimately reinforced concerns that have followed the right-hander over the last month.

Leiter completed five innings but allowed six runs (five earned) on eight hits (one home run). He recorded three strikeouts and issued two walks in the 10-1 road loss.

After the game, Rangers manager Skip Schumaker pointed to the early innings and rising pitch count as factors that prevented Leiter from working deeper into the game.

Schumaker explained that the first inning created immediate concern after Leiter opened with a leadoff walk and struggled to establish his fastball. According to the manager, Leiter relied more heavily on secondary pitches in an attempt to regain counts and navigate innings, which eventually drove his pitch total too high.

“The first inning was kind of a sign that it wasn’t going to go well,” Schumaker told Rangers Sports Network. “It was a first batter walk and then he just couldn’t find his fastball tonight. He ended up spinning the ball more than usual to try and get back into counts and get through some innings. The high pitch count got him out of there in the fifth inning.”

Leiter finished with 103 pitches, including 63 strikes.

The pitch usage reflected Schumaker’s evaluation.

Leiter threw only 34 four-seam fastballs while increasing reliance on his slider, which he used 27 times, along with 15 changeups and 13 curveballs.

Despite generating 54 swings, he produced only nine called strikes and induced just 13 whiffs.

Boston created early separation when William Contreras hit a two-run home run in the first inning.

The game unraveled further in the fifth inning when Leiter surrendered four additional runs.

One of those runs was unearned after Nicky Lopez, filling in left field following Evan Carter’s injury exit from center field, had difficulty managing the Green Monster at Fenway Park.

The larger issue is that outings like this have become familiar.

Since the start of May, covering his last eight starts, Leiter has largely alternated between dominant and difficult performances. In three outings, he allowed one run or fewer. In the other five, he surrendered four or more runs.

His last two starts have resulted in 11 runs allowed (10 earned) in 9.2 innings, with five strikeouts and five walks.

For the season, Leiter owns a 3-6 record with a 4.97 ERA and 1.41 WHIP while recording 79 strikeouts and 33 walks in 76 innings across 14 starts.

Length has also remained a challenge.

Leiter has reached six innings only three times this season.

One of those came May 15 against the Houston Astros, when he worked seven innings and allowed one run on three hits (one home run) with six strikeouts and three walks.

In the other two outings of six or more innings, he allowed four or more runs.

Whether Leiter can reverse the trend may become one of the defining questions for Texas.

If the Rangers intend to remain in the American League West Division race, improvement from one of their most important young arms may become necessary.

At the same time, Leiter continues to possess traits that explain why belief remains high.

One of his biggest strengths is competitiveness.

Even during difficult stretches, he continues attacking hitters and shows a willingness to adjust rather than becoming passive.

Another encouraging quality is adaptability.

Leiter consistently experiments with sequencing and pitch usage rather than forcing one approach when things stop working.

He also carries visible confidence and maintains an aggressive mentality that many young pitchers struggle to sustain.

Development is rarely linear for starting pitchers.

For Texas, the hope remains that Leiter’s flashes eventually become the standard rather than the exception.

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