Just a couple of weeks ago there was a pretty public discussion whether Adrian Beltre should've gone on the disabled list for his tight, sore hamstring. Despite his pain and discomfort, he was still hitting the ball and figuring out how to run the bases on the fly.
In the midst of a teamwide offensive struggle, Beltre has been one of the few bright spots at the plate on the six-game road trip the Rangers just finished up in Seattle. And it should be understood, the Mariners have some good pitching and they play in a tremendously pitcher-friendly park.
Beltre finished off the road trip, and the Rangers' stretch of 20 games in 20 days, with a solid day at the plate in the Rangers' 5-3 loss to the Mariners, which put the Rangers' mark during the stretch at 10-10.
The third baseman, who is still running gingerly at times but seems to be coming along in his recovery, doubled and hit a two-run home run in the eighth inning to help prevent the Rangers from being shut out for the first time this season.
We saw what Beltre's absence can do to this lineup when he missed a few games at the beginning of the month due to the sore hamstring, and the Rangers better keep their fingers crossed he doesn't have to go on the shelf much more this season.
