Arihara Struggles In Rangers 7-2 Loss To Astros

Originally posted on FanNation Inside The Rangers
By Chris Halicke | Last updated 9/15/21

ARLINGTON, Texas — In their final series of the 2021 season, the Texas Rangers and Houston Astros have traded lopsided victories. Houston won Monday night's game, 15-1. The Rangers won Tuesday night by a score of 8-1. Now on Wednesday, the Astros returned the favor with a 7-2 victory at Globe Life Field.

Rangers starter Kohei Arihara struggled mightily against an Astros lineup sans Carlos Correa and Alex Bregman. Arihara allowed six runs on eight hits with no walks, one strikeout and two home runs in four-plus innings. Even though the Japanese right-hander did not issue any free passes, Arihara struggled to command his pitches, hitting two batters.

Arihara said after the game he struggled with the mechanics behind his fastball.

The Texas lineup was stymied by Houston starter José Urquidy. The Rangers only mustered four hits on the night, with Brock Holt's third-inning triple as one of two extra-base knocks. Yonny Hernandez drove him in with an RBI groundout for the first Rangers run of the night.

Willie Calhoun made his first appearance since June 26 when he went on the Injured List with a fractured forearm. He had a successful return, going 2-for-4 with a single and a ninth-inning double hit to the opposite field. Calhoun later scored the Rangers second run of the ballgame after advancing on a wild pitch, then was driven home by an RBI groundout by Nathaniel Lowe.

What's Next

The Rangers (54-91) and Astros (85-60) wrap up their season series on Thursday night at Globe Life Field. Glenn Otto (0-1, 6.92 ERA) gets the start for the Rangers, as southpaw Framber Valdez (10-5, 3.26 ERA) takes the ball for Houston.