ARLINGTON, Texas — Adrian Beltre helped the Rangers win their fifth consecutive game with his bat, glove and eye.
The last of Beltre’s three RBI came when Fernando Rodney walked him with the bases loaded to force home the winning run on Monday night with one out.
That gave Texas a 4-3 victory over the Seattle Mariners. He also had a pair of RBI doubles.
His five errorless chances in the field included charging a fifth-inning bunt and forcing out the lead runner at third base, limiting what could have been a big Seattle inning to one run.
“I’m always trying to kick it in gear every day,” said Beltre, who has 11 hits in his last 23 at-bats. “I’m just trying to do whatever I can to help this ballclub win.”
The Rangers have won eight consecutive home games and are three games over .500 for the first time since June 23.
They moved within three games of first place in the American League West.
Shawn Tolleson (5-2) worked a scoreless ninth.
Rodney (5-5) took the loss, allowing four of five batters to reach.
After Rodney struck out Prince Fielder, he walked Beltre on a 3-1 pitch.
“I think I made good pitch to try to get out of the inning,” said Rodney, who said he was trying to get Beltre to hit a ground ball. “That’s baseball.”
Holland returns
Left-handed pitcher Derek Holland is scheduled to start the series finale for Texas on Wednesday afternoon, his first appearance since making only nine pitches in the home opener on April 10.
He was sidelined with a torn muscle behind his left shoulder.
Trainer’s room
Mariners: LHP James Paxton (strained left middle finger) is scheduled to throw a simulated game Tuesday. Paxton (3-3) has been sidelined since late May.
Rangers: RHP Yu Darvish threw Monday for the first time since having Tommy John surgery in March. He threw 25 pitches at 45 feet and is scheduled to throw Wednesday and Friday.
Up next
Mariners: RHP Hisashi Iwakuma (4-2), the American League Player of the Week, comes off a no-hitter pitched last Wednesday at home against Baltimore.
Rangers: RHP Chi Chi Gonzalez (2-4) hasn’t won since his second start of the season in early June, compiling four losses and two no-decisions since.
