The Return of Adrian Beltre Spoiled

Apr 7, 2014; Boston, MA, USA; Texas Rangers third baseman

(29) scores a run during the fourth inning against the Boston Red Sox at Fenway Park. Mandatory Credit: Bob DeChiara-USA TODAY Sports

Adrian Beltre returned to the Texas Rangers line up last night for the first time in two weeks after sitting out with some quad issues, and he personally had a good game. However it was almost an amazing game, and hit last at bat came a few inches away from knocking in the tying and go ahead runs in the ninth innings.

“Everybody was going to score,” Elvis Andrus said about the almost hit by Adrian Beltre. “That was a crazy inning. That was the hit we were looking for all night. I thought it was on the right-field line and everybody was going to score.” texasrangers.com

The look on the face of Adrian Beltre after Justin Smoak completed that double play summed up how every Texas Rangers player and fan were feeling at that exact moment. The old adage that you win some and lose some could not have been more true last night, seeing that Adrian Beltre was robbed at the end of the same game where J.P. Arencibia had two, count them, two productive at bats (although for one of those at bats he just took a wild pitch).

Robbie Ross gave another good performance, keeping the Texas Rangers in the game. Neal Cotts came in and blew the Texas Rangers 3-2 lead, giving up 4 runs in the 8th inning without recording an out. He has had some really bad outings in 2014 and does not look like the same pitcher that he was in 2013. Alexi Ogando got the outs the Texas Rangers needed and then Fernando Rodney, or crooked cap, as I like to call him, came in for the Mariners and was all over the place with the ball. The Texas Rangers loaded the bases and scored twice. They still had the bases loaded with just one out when Adrian Beltre came to the plate, and hit into the unlikely double play.

“It was a little surreal when I hit it,” Adrian Beltre said after the game. “I thought he had no chance. I hit a ball down the line, a right-handed hitter that is normally a pull hitter, and somehow he reacted really fast … I would have rather had a slow roller and be thrown out at first and at least get the run in.” texasrangers.com

The Texas Rangers get another chance to defeat the Mariners tonight, but the Mariners have Felix Hernandez on the mound, and he is very tough to beat in Seattle. The Texas Rangers will send Colby Lewis to the hill, and maybe tonight, the ball will roll Adrian Beltre’s way instead of Justin Smoaks.