Rangers 7, Tigers 6
ARLINGTON, Texas -- Third baseman Adrian Beltre went 3-for-4, including what turned out to be a game-winning double in the fourth inning, leading the AL West Division-leading Texas Rangers to a badly needed 7-6 win over the Detroit Tigers on Tuesday night.
Beltre, who finished 3-for-5, also hit a run-scoring single in the second. Left-hander Cole Hamels overcame early struggles for the Rangers, whose magic number to clinch the division title is four.
Texas, which snapped a three-game losing streak, led the Houston Astros by two games and the Los Angeles Angels by 2 1/2 games pending their late results Tuesday night.
Hamels (12-8) gave up six runs, all with two outs in the first three innings, during his six-inning outing. He allowed seven hits and two walks while striking out eight for Texas, which has won each of the lefty's past nine starts. Hamels, who is 6-1 since being acquired by Texas at the trade deadline, retired nine straight and 10 of his last 11 hitters.
Texas right-handed relievers Sam Dyson and Keone Kela pitched perfect innings in the seventh and eighth, and closer Shawn Tolleson earned his 34th save by battling out of a jam in the ninth.
With runners at first and third and one out, Detroit left fielder Rajai Davis popped up a bunt attempt to Texas first baseman Mitch Moreland. Tigers second baseman Ian Kinsler then drove a ball to center field, but Texas' Drew Stubbs ran it down for the final out.
Rangers right fielder Shin-Soo Choo was 2-for-5, including a two-run homer -- his 21st of the season -- in the first. Shortstop Elvis Andrus and second baseman Rougned Odor each had an RBI for Texas (85-72).
Tigers right-handed reliever Buck Farmer (0-4) gave up a run on two hits in two innings. He yielded Choo's double and Beltre's game-deciding double in the fourth. Farmer relieved left-hander Daniel Norris after the Detroit starter gave up six runs (two earned) on five hits and a walk in 1 2/3 innings.
The Tigers (73-84) were victimized by four errors, including two in the first that led to four unearned runs.
Detroit right fielder J.D. Martinez had two hits, including a two-run homer in the first.
Davis and shortstop Dixon Machado each had run-scoring hits, and catcher Bryan Holaday hit a solo home run off Hamels in the second.
NOTES: Rangers LF Josh Hamilton was out of the lineup because he still can't play back-to-back games due to a sore knee. Mike Napoli, who likely would have been somewhere in the lineup against LHP Daniel Norris, started in left. ... Rangers manager Jeff Banister said LHP Derek Holland completed his routine bullpen workout Tuesday with no issues and is on track to start Thursday against the Los Angeles Angels. Holland took a comebacker off his left middle finger Saturday. ... Detroit DH Victory Martinez was held out of the lineup because of left knee soreness. Miguel Cabrera served as the designated hitter.