Semien, Lowe homer; Arihara shines as Rangers beat Twins 7-0
MINNEAPOLIS, MN - AUGUST 21: Jose Miranda #64 of the Minnesota Twins fields the ball at first base for an out against Leody Taveras #3 of the Texas Rangers in the second inning of the game at Target Field on August 21, 2022 in Minneapolis, Minnesota.
MINNEAPOLIS (AP) - Marcus Semien and Nathaniel Lowe homered, Kohei Arihara pitched a career-high six innings and combined with Taylor Hearn for the shutout, and the Texas Rangers beat the Minnesota Twins 7-0 on Sunday.
Minnesota starter Joe Ryan held Texas hitless for the first three innings before Semien led off the fourth with his 19th home run of the season. Semien drove in three runs as the Rangers won for the third time in four games.
Adolis Garcia extended his hitting streak to 18 games, the longest current streak in the majors.
Arihara (1-1) was impressive in just his second major league start of the season. The right-hander from Japan spent most of the season at Triple-A Round Rock. He gave up four hits and pitched into the seventh inning.
Taylor Hearn came on in relief after the first two batters of the seventh singled off Arihara. Hearn retired three in a row to end the threat and finished off the final three innings for his first career save.
Ryan (9-6) allowed just two hits and two runs, but he walked three and was done after 6 1/3 innings when Texas put together a three-run inning off Ryan and reliever Trevor Megill.
The Twins were shut out for the 11th time this season and now trail Cleveland by 1.5 games in the American League Central.
After a slow start to his first season in Texas, Semien is delivering the production expected when he signed a $175 million, seven-year contract in the offseason.
Semien was hitting .193 with no homers on May 27. He hit his first home run a day later and now has 19 in 77 games since while hitting .256 during that stretch. With a career-high 19 stolen bases, he's closing in on his first 20-20 season.
Lowe hit his 18th homer. He's hitting .364 since the All-Star break.
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TRAINER'S ROOM
Rangers: OF Kole Calhoun was activated from the injured list after recovering from right heel irritation. Calhoun had been out since Aug. 3 and played in three rehab games in Triple-A where he was 3 for 10 with a hit in each game. IF Josh Smith was optioned to Round Rock.
Twins: RHP Kenta Maeda (Tommy John surgery recovery) has been throwing and is scheduled for another trip to the doctor this week. He could begin throwing live batting practice after the checkup. . RHP Bailey Ober (right groin straight) is scheduled to throw a bullpen session on Monday. . OF Trevor Larnach (core muscle injury) has started hitting and running. . OF Kyle Garlick (right ribcage contusion) is close to a rehab assignment.
UP NEXT
The four-game series continues on Monday night. RHP Sonny Gray (7-3, 3.11 ERA) starts for Minnesota while LHP Cole Ragans (0-2, 5.02) will start for Texas. Gray tied a season high with 10 strikeouts in six scoreless innings in his last start. Ragans has allowed eight runs and four home runs in 9 1/3 innings over his last two starts.