Beltre Leads Rangers To Win Over Rays

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Adrian Beltre went 3-for-3 with 4 RBI’s on Monday night to lead the Texas Rangers over the Tampa Bay Rays 6-5.  Beltre, who was named AL Player of the Week earlier in the day, hit a home run off David Price to lead off the 2nd inning.  It was his 25th home run of the year.  The very next batter, Nelson Cruz, then blasted a homer against Price.

The Rangers cooled off the hottest pitcher in the majors.  Price was 8-0 in his last 12 starts and had not given up a run in 17 innings.  Texas pounded him for 6 runs on 10 hits in just 4 innings.  

Rangers starter Derek Holland struggled early, but held on to last 6 innings.  Holland gave up 5 runs on 6 hits while striking out 5.  The Texas bullpen combined for 3 shutout innings, striking out 6.  Joe Nathan earned his 26th save.

“Beltre was not going to let us lose this game and the bullpen was not going to let us lose this game,” said Rangers manager Ron Washington.

Texas is still 5 1/2 games ahead of the A’s in the AL West.  They host the Rays again tonight at 7:05pm in Arlington with Yu Darvish returning to the mound.