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Rangers search for answers against Astros

Jul 8, 2014 - 2:32 PM (SportsNetwork.com) - The search continues for Texas manager Ron Washington.

In the midst of a dreadful season for a team accustomed to recent success, the Rangers will send their 12th different starting pitcher to the mound on Tuesday night when they host the Houston Astros in the second of three games at Globe Life Park.

Texas has lost 16 of 19 games while the starting rotation -- battered by injury and ineffectiveness -- has compiled an unsightly 8.16 earned run average.

Houston, which has the worst record in the majors, battered novice starter Miles Mikolas for nine runs in 3 1/3 innings of a 12-7 victory in Monday's first game. The win was the Astros' third in a row against Texas, something they haven't done since winning four straight in 2002.

The Rangers enter Tuesday's game with starter Phil Irwin, who's making his debut with the team after being waived by the Pittsburgh Pirates in late May. He's a fill-in for rookie Nick Martinez, who's sidelined with a rib cage injury and could be headed to the disabled list.

Texas has already seen three starters placed on the DL this season.

"(Martinez) wants to start, but we're just trying to be smart," general manager Jon Daniels said. "Irwin's been throwing the ball well at Triple-A. Looking forward to seeing what he's got."

Irwin won four of five decisions across seven appearances at Triple-A Round Rock.

He gave up five runs in 4 2/3 innings of his lone career big league appearance, for the Pirates in 2013 against Cincinnati.

Houston replies with righty Brad Peacock, who allowed four runs in the sixth inning of his most recent start -- a 5-2 loss to Seattle on Wednesday -- after throwing five scoreless innings.

In three previous starts, he'd allowed only four earned runs.

"Lost command of the strike zone," manager Bo Porter said. "He was in a complete groove and what we felt like complete control of the game, then had the hit batter where he held on to a cut fastball too long and then was not able to get back in the zone."

He's 0-3 in four career meetings with Texas and 0-2 on the road in three starts this season while getting four runs of offensive support.

On Monday, Jon Singleton's three-run homer helped the Astros win the opener.

Singleton finished 3-for-4 with four RBI and two runs scored, Marwin Gonzalez drove in three runs and Alex Presley also homered for the Astros, who compiled a season-high 17 hits.

Starter Jarred Cosart (9-6) earned the win despite allowing six runs -- five earned -- on nine hits and two walks with two strikeouts over five innings.

Elvis Andrus brought home three runs and Adrian Beltre homered and drove in two for Texas.

Houston has won four of its seven matchups with the Rangers this season.