Adrian Beltre hit for the cycle, going 4-for-5 as the Rangers fended off the Astros on Monday.
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Beltre homered in his fourth at-bat to complete his third career cycle, becoming the first player since the 1930s to accomplish that in Rangers’ 12-9 victory over the Astros on Monday. It’s half fluky and half impressive that he’s now one of such a small group to complete three different cycles, but he’s a rare hitter who combines power, contact, and just enough speed to make triples feasible, if rare. Looking at Beltre’s career stats is an absolutely treat-he’s been doing this for so long and so consistently, and somehow has had his best seasons after turning 30. Luis Valbuena’s solo homer in the second was his 20th of the season, but first in 83 at-bats since June 23.
Texas Rangers’ Prince Fielder (84) runs home to score in front of Houston Astros catcher Jason Castro, left, during the third inning of a baseball game, Monday, August 3, 2015, in Arlington, Texas. After the game Beltre, who usually avoids talking about himself at all cost, took the time to acknowledge that what he had accomplished was pretty special. Shawn Tolleson worked a flawless ninth inning for the Rangers and gained his nineteenth save of the season. The 23-year old righthander held the potent Anaheim offense to a run and five hits in seven innings. 375 with four home runs in his last six games.
As it should be, Richard Justice is the latest of many to write that Adrian Beltre is destined for the Hall of Fame and last night’s feat just adds to his illustrious resume. The Rangers would respond with six runs off Lance McCullers, highlighted by a two-run homer for Choo, chasing the young Houston starter out of the game with only one run in the first. Texas hopes it can get a similar performance tonight from Lewis, who is 2-0 with a 2.78 ERA in three tries versus the Astros this season. All of it proved vital, as Houston, which at one point trailed 11-3, got within three runs in the seventh inning. Fiers, attained from Milwaukee, lost the battle five of his three functions to start with of his five innings within the 12-9 deficit.
Texas had 15 hits, with five players having at least two RBIs and eight scoring runs.
If Beltre tallies another cycle, he will be the MLB’s first to hit for four in a career.
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The Texas Rangers vie for their sixth win in seven games when they host the American League West-rival Houston Astros in the middle contest of their three-game series Tuesday. It’s his third home run in 11 Major League Baseball games this year. Beltre has also won four Gold Gloves for his play at third.
