Alexy’s third appearance is not a charm for the Texas Rangers

A.J. Alexy’s first major league relief appearance didn’t go nearly as well as his first two starts.

The Twin Valley grad allowed four hits, four walks and six runs over 3 2/3 innings in the Texas Rangers’ 15-1 loss to the Houston Astros Monday.

Alexy, a 23-year-old right-hander, made major league history when he did not allow a run over 11 innings in his first two starts. He won both.

His most recent start came Aug. 30 when he fired six shutout innings, allowing just one hit, as the Rangers defeated the Anaheim Angels 4-0.

This week he was used as a “piggyback” starter behind former Philadelphia Phillies right-hander Spencer Howard. Howard was tagged for six runs over 1 1/3 innings and saw his ERA balloon to 7.38.

Alexy entered to start the third inning with the Rangers trailing 6-0. He allowed two runs in the third, pitched two scoreless innings, then was charged with four runs in the sixth, which he didn’t complete.

“It’s always different when you are coming out of the bullpen,” Alexy told Evan Grant of the Dallas Morning News. “Deciphering when to start getting ready is always a little different out there.”

Alexy’s ERA is 3.68 after 14 2/3 innings.

The 6-4, 195-pound Alexy made his big league debut Aug. 30 vs. Colorado and pitched five scoreless innings, allowing just one hit.

Alexy was the Berks League Player of the Year as a senior in 2016, and a two-time All-Berks selection.

Alexy was added to the Rangers’ 40-man roster following last season.

He went 3-1 with a 1.66 ERA over 16 minor league appearances this season, split between Class AA Frisco and Class AAA Round Rock. He struck out 76 over 65 innings.

Alexy was an 11th-round draft pick of the Los Angeles Dodgers in 2016 and signed by Rich DeLucia, a Wyomissing grad who pitched for nine years in the big leagues.

Alexy was part of a three-player package the Dodgers sent to the Rangers for Yu Darvish on July 31, 2017; the Rangers also received Brendon Davis and Willie Calhoun.