Beltre, Rangers eager for showdown with Astros


Sep 23, 2015; Oakland, CA, USA; Texas Rangers third baseman Adrian Beltre (29) hits a home run against the Oakland Athletics during the fifth inning at O.co Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Ed Szczepanski-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 23, 2015; Oakland, CA, USA; Texas Rangers third baseman Adrian Beltre (29) hits a home run against the Oakland Athletics during the fifth inning at O.co Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Ed Szczepanski-USA TODAY Sports

OAKLAND, Calif. — Texas third baseman Adrian Beltre said meaningful games down the stretch bring out the best in him, so odds are he will stay red hot when the Rangers face the Houston Astros in a crucial three-game series that starts Friday at Minute Maid Park.

Beltre went 2-for-5 and drove in three runs Thursday in an 8-1 victory against Oakland as the Rangers completed a three-game series sweep and continued building momentum. Beltre now has 25 RBIs in September, the most in the majors.

“When the games you play mean something, especially the way we’re playing right now, it adds a little bit to it,” Beltre said. “There’s no doubt it makes it easy to play in games that are really meaningful. I think your game’s elevated a little bit more.”

The Rangers extended their lead in the American League West to a season-high 3 1/2 games over Houston, which had an off day Thursday.

“This is a high-energy club,” Rangers manager Jeff Banister said of the Astros. “We know they’re not going to go away. They’ve got some tremendous young players, and they’ve got some veteran guys on the ballclub also.

“I’m sure they’re going to be up for the task. They’ve had a day off. They’re going to be fresh. They love to play in their ballpark. They know how to play in their ballpark, and their pitchers have been tough there. We’ve got our work cut out for us. We expect them to come out and play us hard.”