Arlich signed with the Houston Colt .45s as an amateur free agent in 1961. They signed him from North St. Paul High School in St. Paul, Minnesota and he received a signing bonus of US$45,000 after joining the organization. During his first season in the minor leagues, he played with the Jacksonville Jets, who were members of the Class-A South Atlantic League. On the season, Arlich went 1–2 with a 7.00 earned run average (ERA) in seven games, five starts. In 1962, he played with the Class-B Durham Bulls, who were members of the Carolina League. With the Bulls that season, Arlich went 3–3 with a 4.09 ERA, two complete games and 29 strikeouts in six games, all starts. Arlich continued playing with the Bulls in 1963, who were now re-classified as a Class-A team. On the season, Arlich went 10–7 with a 4.05 ERA in 24 games, all starts.\n', '

In 1964, the Houston Colt .45s assigned Arlich to their Double-A affiliate, the San Antonio Bullets. During the season, he compiled a record of 7–3 with a 3.00 ERA and 79 strikeouts in 27 games, 15 starts. In 1965, the Colt .45s changed their name to the "Astros" and assigned Arlich to the Double-A Amarillo Sonics of the Texas League. In the minors that season, Arlich compiled a record of 8–8 with a 3.45 ERA and 125 strikeouts in 33 games, 23 starts. He also made his first career appearance in Major League Baseball that season on October 2, the 161th game of the season. In that game, Arlich pitched six innings; giving-up five hits; two runs, both earned; and one walk against the St. Louis Cardinals.\n', '

Arlich began the 1966 season in the minors, but would later make appearances in the majors. During his time in the minors that season, he played with the Triple-A Oklahoma City 89ers and went 6–10 with a 4.41 ERA and 72 strikeouts in 29 games, 17 starts. In July of that year, the Astros called Arlich up to the majors after they released pitcher Robin Roberts. Arlich pitched in his first game of the season on July 9, against the St. Louis Cardinals. In one inning relief during that game, he gave-up no hits or runs. He got his first career major league loss on July 20, against the Philadelphia Phillies. In that game, he also got his first and only major league strikeout. Arlich made his last appearance in Major League Baseball that season on August 4, against the Philadelphia Phillies. He started the 1967 season in the Astros minor league organization with the Double-A Amarillo Sonics.\n', '

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