Texas Rangers

Beltre at 2,999 Hits After Rangers' 4-0 Loss to Orioles

Adrian Beltre singled to get within one hit of 3,000 for his career in the Texas Rangers' 4-0 loss to the Baltimore Orioles on Saturday night.

Beltre was 1 for 4, grounding a ball through the left side of the infield for a hit leading off the fourth. He had two chances after that to become the 31st major leaguer with 3,000 hits, but grounded out to short in the sixth and was retired on a double play in the ninth when third baseman Manny Machado made a slick snag on a short-hopper before a sidearm sling to second base.

Kevin Gausman (8-7) went 8 2-3 innings to win his fifth consecutive decision over seven starts. He struck out eight and threw 118 pitches.

Zach Britton converted his 56th straight save chance, and seventh this season. He relieved with two on and got Carlos Gomez to ground out, completed the Orioles' sixth shutout this season.

The Rangers, who had scored 28 runs the previous three games, were held scoreless for the fourth time.

Trey Mancini and Caleb Joseph both hit solo homers in the second off Austin Bibens-Dirkx (3-1).

The closest Texas came to scoring was when young slugger Joey Gallo led off the third with a towering shot to straightway center field. Adam Jones got back to the 8-foot wall, leaped and caught the ball that looked like it would be Gallo's 26th homer.

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Beltre got loud cheers from the crowd of 44,658, including about 8,000 who bought tickets after he got two hits in Friday night's series opener. The only other active player in the 3,000-hit club is Miami Marlins outfielder Ichiro Suzuki, who is tied for 22nd all-time with Hall of Fame player Craig Biggio at 3,060.

After Orioles shortstop Ruben Tejada made an impressive backhanded stab deep in the hole and then threw him out to end the first, Beltre led off the fourth with his hit. It was another grounder to the left side -- that one getting beyond the reach of Tejada and into the outfield.

Beltre, a five-time Gold Glove winner, had his career-best and franchise-record errorless streak of 62 games at third base end with a throwing error in the seventh.

The error came when Beltre fielded a grounder by Machado and short-hopped the throw to first base. When Machado came back up in the ninth, he hit a foul pop on which Beltre ran a long way to make a highlight catch with his glove extended over his head.

Bibens-Dirkx, the 32-year-old rookie right-hander, started in place of righty Tyson Ross, who went on the 10-day disabled list with a blister on the index finger of his pitching hand after his start last Saturday.

Bibens-Dirkx allowed four runs and six hits in five innings, with one strikeout and three walks.

TRAINER'S ROOM

Orioles: RHP Jeremy Hellickson's vehicle got rear-ended when he was on the way to the airport to join the Orioles after being traded from Philadelphia late Friday night. Manager Buck Showalter said the pitcher was OK, but his girlfriend had to go to the emergency room. Hellickson will now go to Baltimore, instead of joining the team for the finale in Texas on Sunday. .... Showalter said RHP Chris Tillman had "some all-body cramping" Friday night that probably affected him commanding his pitches.

UP NEXT

Orioles: LHP Wade Miley (4-9) starts as Baltimore tries to close the season series 6-1 against Texas.

Rangers: While Beltre goes for his 3,000th hit, lefty Martin Perez is scheduled to make his 20th start of the season. The Rangers have scored one run total for Perez (5-8, 4.67) in his last two starts.

Copyright AP - Associated Press
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