Beltre Pushes Rangers Past A’s
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Adrian Beltre batted in the final 3 runs to lead the Texas Rangers over the Oakland A’s 5-4 Monday night at the Ballpark in Arlington.
Beltre hit a 2-run home run in the 7th inning to tie the game, followed by a bases-loaded single in the 9th to bring in the game-winning run.
The win puts the Rangers 5 games ahead of the A’s for the AL West title with 9 games to play. Their magic number is down to 5.
Josh Hamilton returned to the lineup with style – Hamilton blasted a home run 441 feet to right center field in the 5th inning. It is his 43rd round tripper of the season.
Texas starting pitcher Derek Holland only lasted 3 innings, as he gave up 2 early home runs to fall behind 3-1. Roy Oswalt, Robbie Ross, Koji Uehara, Mike Adams, and Joe Nathan all came in for the Rangers in relief. Nathan is credited with the win, his 3rd of the season.
Texas will host the A’s again tonight at the Ballpark. Yu Darvish will be on the mound for the Rangers. Darvish has gone at least 7 innings in his last 4 starts, giving up 4 or fewer runs in each. Gaylord Perry and Nolan Ryan are the only other pitchers to match that feat.
