ARLINGTON -- Jack Leiter hung a slider, his third pitch of the game, middle-middle to Taylor Ward. The Angels' outfielder promptly sent the pitch 385 feet to left-center for a home run as Leiter walked off the mound and collected himself.

It was a rough start to Leiter’s sixth MLB outing, as he then hit Zach Neto with a pitch and allowed him to score as well. But everything was uphill afterwards, as the Rangers pulled out a 6-4 win over the Angels on Saturday night at Globe Life Field.

The Rangers' No. 4 prospect ultimately allowed three runs over five-plus innings, while striking out a career-high six batters. He induced 20 whiffs as he overpowered the Angels' lineup for much of the night.

Leiter pitched in the sixth inning for the second time in his young big league career, but for the second time, he also didn’t record an out. After walking the leadoff hitter, manager Bruce Bochy quickly gave him the hook. Rangers reliever Andrew Chafin allowed the inherited runner to score.

Despite failing to complete the sixth inning, it was yet another step in the right direction for Leiter, who is becoming more and more comfortable at the big league level. It wasn’t a perfect outing, obviously, but it was one that could have easily fallen apart right before his eyes.