Three up, three down from Rangers’ series-opening win over Astros

(AP Photo/Michael Ainsworth)

ARLINGTON — Several players could be recognized for making the play Monday night for the Texas Rangers, but manager Chris Woodward instead highlighted an area of the team — the guys who came off the bench in the seventh inning.

Willie Calhoun delivered a pinch-hit double to start what proved to be a go-ahead two-run rally. He tagged and went to third as the next batter, pinch-hitter Kole Calhoun, sent a flyball to right field. With the Houston Astros hoping to cut down the potential tying run at home, Marcus Semien delivered a single through the drawn-in infield and Corey Seager knocked in Semien two batters later.

“Credit to the guys on the bench,” Woodward said. “They’ve been doing it all year. … That won us the game.”

The Rangers added three more runs in the eighth en route to a 6-2 victory to open a seven-game homestand. Willie Calhoun was one of the three who scored after he reached on a bloop single.

He was also one of four players with two hits, joining Seager, Nathaniel Lowe and the first player below in three up, three down.