Former Dodger Adrian Beltre hit three straight home runs and the Texas Rangers earned their second straight berth in the AL Championship Series, beating the Tampa Bay Rays, 4-3, Tuesday at St. Petersburg, Fla., to win their AL division series playoff matchup, 3-1.
Beltre became just the seventh player to homer three times in a postseason game. Texas ended the Rays' remarkable run to the AL wild card spot, and will play for the pennant against the Tigers-Yankees winner.
Ian Kinsler led off the game for Texas by homering on the second pitch from rookie Jeremy Hellickson.
Matt Harrison, who made a relief appearance in the Rangers' loss in the series opener, pitched five innings to get the win in his first postseason start. Neftali Feliz gave up a run in the ninth inning before closing for his third save of the series.
Postseason three-homer games
AL division series
Game 4, 2011: Adrian Beltre, Texas at Tampa Bay
AL championship series
Game 5, 2002: Adam Kennedy, Angels vs. Minnesota
Game 3, 1978: George Brett, Kansas City at New York
NL championship series
Game 2, 1971: Bob Robertson, Pittsburgh at San Francisco
World Series
Game 6, 1977: Reggie Jackson, New York Yankees vs. Dodgers
Game 4, 1928: Babe Ruth, New York Yankees at St. Louis Cardinals
Game 4, 1926: Babe Ruth, New York Yankees at St. Louis Cardinals
ALSO
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--Houston Mitchell
Photo: Adrian Beltre hits one of his three homers. Credit: Pierre Ducharme / Reuters.
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