Beltre hits 3 HRs; Texas wins 4-3, ousts Rays

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. (AP) — Adrian Beltre hit three straight home runs and the Texas Rangers powered themselves back into the AL championship series, beating the Tampa Bay Rays 4-3 Tuesday to win their playoff matchup.

Beltre became just the seventh player to homer three times in a postseason game. He led the Rangers to victory in Game 4 of the best-of-five division series.

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.