The Houston Astros<\/a> defeated the Texas Rangers<\/a> 2-0 on Wednesday night at Daikin Park behind another excellent outing from Spencer Arrighetti<\/a>. Isaac Paredes<\/a> provided the Astros\u2019 offense with a solo home run during the third inning as Astros pitching held the Rangers scoreless throughout the night.<\/p>\n The Astros finished with five hits as the Rangers managed one. Astros pitchers recorded six strikeouts and limited the Rangers to minimal traffic across nine innings.<\/p>\n The Rangers threatened during the opening inning after Brandon Nimmo<\/a> drew a walk against Arrighetti. Josh Jung<\/a> later grounded into a forceout to end the inning and keep the game scoreless.<\/p>\n The Astros created an early scoring opportunity during the first inning after Brice Matthews<\/a> singled and Christian Walker<\/a> drew a walk against Rangers starter Jack Leiter<\/a>. Leiter escaped the inning after Braden Shewmake<\/a> grounded out to first base.<\/p>\n The Astros opened the scoring during the third inning. Isaac Paredes launched a solo home run into the Crawford Boxes to give the Astros a 1-0 lead.<\/p>\n Arrighetti controlled the Rangers lineup throughout the middle innings by mixing elevated fastballs with effective secondary pitches. The right-hander consistently generated weak contact and swing-and-miss counts.<\/p>\n The Rangers created another opportunity during the fifth inning after Kyle Higashioka<\/a> reached on an error and Justin Foscue<\/a> singled into left field. Zach Dezenzo<\/a> prevented additional damage with a diving catch in left field on a sharply hit line drive from Alejandro Osuna<\/a>.<\/p>\n The Astros added another run during the eighth inning. Yordan Alvarez<\/a> lined a single into center field before Braden Shewmake delivered an RBI single to extend the lead to 2-0.<\/p>\n Bryan King<\/a> entered during the eighth inning after Arrighetti exited with two runners on base. King retired Andrew McCutchen<\/a> on a fly ball before catcher Christian V\u00e1zquez<\/a> completed a pickoff throw at first base to end the inning.<\/p>\n The Astros pitching relief secured the final three outs during the ninth inning as Braden Shewmake recorded the final out at third base.<\/p>\n Arrighetti recorded 10 strikeouts across 7 1\/3 scoreless innings. The Astros starter consistently attacked the zone and prevented the Rangers from generating sustained offense.<\/p>\n Paredes accounted for the Astros\u2019 first run with a solo home run during the third inning. The third baseman also handled multiple defensive plays throughout the game.<\/p>\n The Astros defense produced several important plays throughout the night. Dezenzo made a diving catch in left field during the fifth inning, and Walker secured multiple difficult throws at first base.<\/p>\n The Astros generated traffic during several innings but finished with five hits overall. The lineup stranded runners during the first and sixth innings.<\/p>\n Leiter generated swing-and-miss counts throughout the game as he recorded multiple strikeouts against the middle of the Astros lineup.<\/p>\n The Astros carried a one-run lead into the eighth inning before Shewmake added insurance with an RBI single into center field.<\/p>\n Paredes recorded the Astros\u2019 lone extra-base hit with a solo home run during the third inning.<\/p>\n Arrighetti improved to 5-1 after allowing two hits and recording 10 strikeouts across 7 1\/3 innings.<\/p>\n Shewmake drove in the Astros\u2019 second run during the eighth inning with a line-drive single into center field.<\/p>\n V\u00e1zquez ended the eighth inning with a successful pickoff throw at first base after Justin Foscue attempted to dive back safely.<\/p>\n Walker handled multiple difficult throws at first base and prevented several infield errors from extending innings.<\/p>\n The Lone Star Series continues Saturday with Kai-Wei Teng<\/a> (1-3, 3.12 ERA) taking the hill for the Astros while the Rangers counter with Jacob deGrom<\/a> (3-2, 2.62 ERA). First pitch is scheduled for 6:10 PM Central.<\/p>\n <\/p>\nAstros-Rangers Game Summary<\/b><\/h3>\n
What Went Right for the Astros<\/b><\/h3>\n
Spencer Arrighetti Dominated the Strike Zone<\/b><\/h4>\n
Isaac Paredes Delivered Early Offense<\/b><\/h4>\n
Astros Defense Prevented Additional Runs<\/b><\/h4>\n
What Went Wrong for the Astros<\/b><\/h3>\n
Astros Left Multiple Scoring Opportunities<\/b><\/h4>\n
Strikeouts Limited Offensive Production<\/b><\/h4>\n
Limited Run Support Kept the Game Close<\/b><\/h4>\n
Quick Hits<\/b><\/h3>\n
Next Up<\/h3>\n
Main Photo:<\/h4>\n