Jul 20, 2015; Denver, CO, USA; Texas Rangers third baseman Adrian Beltre (29) hits a game tying RBI double during the ninth inning against the Colorado Rockies at Coors Field. The Rockies won 8-7. Mandatory Credit: Chris Humphreys-USA TODAY Sports
DENVER — Adrian Beltre isn’t sure the time off for the All-Star break did much for his ailing left thumb.
At least, that was what he said before reaching a milestone while going 3-for-5 with two doubles and two RBIs in the Texas Rangers’ 8-7 loss to the Colorado Rockies on Monday.
Beltre played his 2,413th game at third base, breaking a tie with Graig Nettles (1967-88) for the second-most games ever for a major league third baseman. Hall of Famer Brooks Robinson (1955-77) is the all-time leader with 2,870 games at third base.
“I didn’t expect to play all those games,” Beltre said. “I’ve done a lot of things that I’m proud of, things that I never put in my mind when I started playing baseball.”
Asked if the All-Star break helped his thumb, Beltre, who tied the game with a two-out double in the ninth said, “Not one bit.”
Beltre thrives at Coors Field, where in 61 games he is hitting .401 (97-for-242) with 17 homers and 66 RBIs. He has the highest career batting average at Coors Field with a minimum of 200 at-bats.
Beltre sprained his left thumb sliding into second base on May 31 and was on the disabled list until June 23. He was activated with very little batting practice and without playing in any rehab games in the minors. He is hitting .273 in 22 games since coming off the disabled list but is 13-for-33 (.394) in his past eight games.
“I just don’t think that if I had waited as long as I could wait that it was going to make a difference,” Beltre said. “I’ve been playing for a month or so, and I took those four days off (at the All-Star break). I assumed it would be better after those days.
“It didn’t happen, so I’m confused, and I’m not exactly sure what the best thing to do is. As of right now, I’m playing and trying to do the best I can to help my team win.”
