Rangers 5, Rays 3
ARLINGTON, Texas -- Third baseman Adrian Beltre had a home run and two RBIs, and four Texas Rangers relievers helped ensure right-hander Yovani Gallardo was a winner as the Rangers swept Tampa Bay with a 5-3 victory on Sunday.
Beltre was 1-for-3 with a sacrifice fly and a home run that broke a 3-3 tie in the third. Left fielder Ryan Strausborger was 3-for-4, including his first career home run.
Center fielder Delino DeShields and right fielder Shin-Soo Choo also had RBIs for Texas (59-57), which has won four consecutive games and 10 of 11 at home.
Texas right-hander Shawn Tolleson retired three of the four hitters he faced in the ninth to record his 23rd save in 24 attempts.
Rays first baseman James Loney had a run-scoring single in the first, center fielder Kevin Kiermaier had an RBI double and designated hitter John Jaso added an RBI single that gave Tampa Bay (58-59) a one-run lead in the second.
Lefty Sam Freeman and right-handers Keone Kela, Sam Dyson and Tolleson pitched 3 2/3 innings of scoreless relief in support of Gallardo (9-9), who earned the victory after giving up three runs on 11 hits and a walk while striking out five over 5 1/3 innings. Gallardo entered the game having given up more than one walk in nine straight games.
Gallardo surrendered a leadoff base hit to Kiermaier to begin the sixth but struck out catcher Curt Casali. Manager Jeff Banister went to Freeman to face two scheduled lefties.
Instead he saw pinch-hitters Brandon Guyer, who struck out looking, and Richie Shaffer, who popped out to second.
Left-handed pitcher Drew Smyly (0-2) suffered the loss in his first appearance since May 5. Smyly hadn't pitched in 102 days while recovering from a torn labrum in his left shoulder.
Smyly gave up five runs on seven hits and two walks over four innings. He struck out two, but was victimized by the home runs from Beltre and Strausborger.
Loney's base hit scored right fielder Grady Sizemore for the game's first run, but the Rangers had an immediate answer with two runs of their own in their half of the first.
Choo's run-scoring double brought DeShields around to score. Choo, who advanced to third on designated hitter Prince Fielder's fly out to center, scored on Beltre's sacrifice fly to center.
Tampa Bay had 12 hits, but the Rays were 3-for-11 with runners in scoring position and left nine men on base.
NOTES: Texas OF Josh Hamilton took the day off to rest his sore left knee, though manager Jeff Banister said there has been no aggravation of the injury. ... LHP Derek Holland threw a bullpen Sunday. He will be reevaluated on Monday before a decision is made as to when he will be reinstated off the 60-day disabled list. That day could be Wednesday. ... Tampa Bay RHP Jose Dominguez was designated for assignment to make room on the 40-man roster for LHP Drew Smyly.