Houston gets the victory
Astros get back in the win column with 7-2 victory over Rangers
Sep 15, 2021, 10:15 pm
Jose Urquidy was impressive against the Rangers on Wednesday night. Photo by Hannah Foslien/Getty Images
Jose Urquidy was impressive against the Rangers on Wednesday night.
After a disappointing lopsided loss on Tuesday to even the series, the Astros tried to get back in position to take the series with a win on Wednesday. They would get it, thanks to a great start by Jose Urquidy and plenty of run support behind him.
Final Score: Astros 7, Rangers 2
Astros' Record: 85-60, first in the AL West
Winning Pitcher: Jose Urquidy (7-3)
Losing Pitcher: Kohei Arihara (2-4)
Houston goes back-to-back in the second
This kid rakes.#ForTheH pic.twitter.com/axjbcQVnD5
— Houston Astros (@astros) September 16, 2021
After a scoreless first inning on both sides, Houston would strike first to start the scoring in the top of the second. A one-out single by Kyle Tucker set up the first two runs of the game, a two-run homer by Jake Meyers to make it 2-0. Marwin Gonzalez was next, and he made it back-to-back homers with a solo shot in the next at-bat, extending the lead to 3-0 with his second homer since re-joining the Astros.
Urquidy tosses an impressive quality start
The three-run inning put Houston's starter, Jose Urquidy, in a good position. After a walk to start the game, he settled in, retiring the next six batters he faced. The Rangers got on the board in the bottom of the third, getting a leadoff triple on a nearly scary play by Kyle Tucker that collided with the right-field wall tracking a long fly ball, which would ultimately fall in for the hit. Houston ceded a run on a groundball, making it 3-1 as Urquidy would get the next three batters in order to end the frame.
His offense backed him up with more runs in the next two innings, getting back-to-back hits to start the fourth, setting up a two-RBI single by Chas McCormick later in the inning, then in the fifth, Yordan Alvarez made it a five-run game with an RBI double. Urquidy remained efficient the rest of the way, allowing just one hit while retiring eleven of the final twelve batters he faced. His final line: 6.0 IP, 2 H, 1 ER, 1 BB, 6 K, 81 P.
Astros get the win
Ryne Stanek took over in the bottom of the seventh, working around a leadoff single to keep the lead at 6-1. Kyle Tucker got his third hit of the night in the next inning, this one a solo homer to add another insurance run and make it 7-1.
Kendall Graveman pitched the eighth, a 1-2-3 inning, and then Josh James came in to finish things in the ninth. He allowed a run, but it would matter little as the Astros would get their 85th win of the season, giving them a chance to get the series win on Thursday.
Up Next: The final game of this four-game series and the last matchup between these two teams this season will be another 7:05 PM Central start on Thursday. Glenn Otto (0-1, 6.92 ERA) will make his fourth career start for the Rangers, going opposite Framber Valdez (10-5, 3.26 ERA) for the Astros.
It's time to seriously question the Astros' front office. Photos via Getty Images, ESPN IG.
The Astros have officially entered a new era, but it’s hard to spin Alex Bregman’s exit as anything but a gut punch. Bregman, a cornerstone of Houston’s championship core, is gone — and the Astros' strategy (or lack thereof) is front and center. The questions are mounting fast, and the answers don’t inspire confidence.
Let’s be clear: This isn’t about refusing to pay players. It’s about how the Astros are willing to pay them. Jim Crane’s approach has become increasingly rigid — no deals with high annual values and opt-outs, but also no long-term contracts for $160+ million. Essentially, Crane is looking for a Goldilocks zone in modern baseball that no longer exists. Good luck winning another World Series with that strategy and a depleted farm system.
If Crane’s blueprint is to focus on cheap positions (first base, closer) or short-term deals with aging veterans past their prime, this team could be in serious trouble. We’ve seen it before with Correa. He could’ve been retained on a shorter-term contract (3-years, $105 million), but Crane’s pride — and his refusal to engage with Scott Boras on deals that include opt-outs — kept the Astros out of the conversation.
Dana Brown publicly called Bregman a top priority. Clearly, that wasn’t true for Crane. Brown’s reaction to the Bregman news felt more like a man at a funeral than an optimistic GM on the opening day of spring training for pitchers and catchers. He wouldn’t even comment on the deal.
Crane’s strategy already backfiring
The Astros locked up Rafael Montero and José Abreu to questionable contracts that now feel like self-inflicted wounds. Would Crane have let Bregman walk if not for those deals? If that’s the case, Houston just sacrificed its long-term core for short-term bets that didn't pay off.
And get ready — Framber Valdez is probably next. When his contract comes up, don’t expect him to stick around.
Leadership void
Losing Bregman isn’t just about stats. It’s about leadership, swagger, and presence. Players like Jeremy Peña, Chas McCormick, and Isaac Paredes aren’t exactly striking fear into opponents. Correa, Bregman, and Kyle Tucker? Entirely different story.
A missed opportunity
Imagine choosing between Josh Hader’s deal (5-years, $95 million) or what Bregman just signed for (3-years, $120 million). I would take Bregman all day. When Hader signed last season, we were fine with it as long as it didn't preclude the club from trying to extend Bregman and/or Tucker.
But here we are one year later with Tucker, Bregman, and Ryan Pressly playing for new teams. And Pressly was better than Hader in 2024 despite dealing with a role change.
For now, the most exciting things about the 2025 Astros are the short porch in left field — which might make Paredes look good again — and the weak AL West.
So, get your season tickets now!
This is one video you don't want to miss as the crew from Stone Cold 'Stros examines all the ramifications from Alex Bregman's Astros departure, and much more!
Spring training is up and running. Join Brandon Strange, Josh Jordan, and Charlie Pallilo for the Stone Cold ‘Stros podcast which drops each Monday afternoon, with an additional episode now on Thursday.
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