ARLINGTON, Texas (AP) _ Adrian Beltre became the first major leaguer since the 1930s to hit for his third career cycle and the Texas Rangers held on for a wild 12-9 victory over the AL West-leading Houston Astros on Monday night.
Beltre’s solo homer in the fifth, a liner deep into the seats in left field, completed the cycle against three Houston pitchers.
A two-run triple by Beltre in the first inning put the Rangers ahead to stay at 3-2. He had a double in the second and a single in the third before his ninth homer of the season made it 12-7.
All three of Beltre’s cycles have come at the Rangers’ ballpark, two for the home team and one as a visitor when he was playing for Seattle on Sept. 1, 2008. The third baseman’s other cycle for Texas was Aug. 24, 2012, against Minnesota.