Beltran snaps out of slump as Rangers slam Indians

Carlos Beltran typically hits balls harder, of course, even during the past week when nothing was falling for him.

But his slow bouncer to the left side against an infield shift must have felt like a full-extension line drive.

It was good for an infield single and helped ignite a five-run explosion in the first inning Saturday night as the Texas Rangers beat the Cleveland Indians 7-0 at Globe Life Park.

Mitch Moreland actually did rip a pitch in the inning, a first-pitch grand slam to right field that capped the rally against Indians starter Carlos Carrasco.

Beltran’s single snapped an 0-for-32 slump, the longest of his career and tied with Dean Palmer (September 1991) for the longest drought for a Rangers hitter since 1974.

The Rangers added two more runs in the third, and A.J. Griffin (6-3) scattered five hits and a walk over six innings to earn his first win since Aug. 4. He struck out six before the bullpen took over for the final three innings.

Beltran, who had 17 hits in his first 14 games after being traded to Texas from the Yankees, last had a hit Aug. 16. He was 4 for 5 that day. In his third at-bat Saturday, he reached on a bloop single near the line in left. When it rains, it pours.

“I’ve hit a couple balls hard but right at some people,” Beltran said after going 0 for 4 Friday. “But at the end of the day, you look for good results. I just want to put together good at-bats and hopefully it changes. It has to change.”

The 39-year-old veteran who has put together a Hall of Fame career remained characteristically relaxed during the eight-game stretch.

“I work extremely hard in the cage trying to work on my swing day in, day out, so at some point good results have to come for me,” said Beltran, who is hitting .288 with 24 homers.

Manager Jeff Banister said there was nothing amiss with Beltran’s swing or approach.

“I believe he’s been somewhat unlucky. Balls that have been hit hard have not been in for base hits, and the other at-bats they’ve made quality pitches against him,” Banister said. “Look at the body of work this year. There’s a lot of guys who would love to have those numbers right now. I don’t think he woke up and his hitting ability was no longer there.”

Reds center fielder Billy Hamilton twice swiped potential hits from Beltran in Cincinnati. Beltran also only struck out six times in the previous eight games.

“Obviously, Beltran is a great hitter. The body of work shows that,” Banister said. “When a hitter is going through what he’s been going through and has not been rewarded with any hits, especially when he’s hit some balls hard, to be able to knock a couple balls in, [hopefully it will] get him back on that positive train and let him get going.”

Beltran’s previous worst hitless stretch came in his second full season in the big leagues — 16 years ago with the Royals. His calm demeanor during the recent skid could be just as beneficial for his young teammates to witness as the success he had in his first week with the club.

“You wouldn’t know it by being around him; he still has the same attitude,” Banister said. “He doesn’t come in throwing stuff around, breaking bats, and when he was getting hits he wasn’t acting like he’s the best hitter on the planet either. He’s a very humble guy who’s just a true professional. He doesn’t ride the swings of the trend, either trending up or trending down.”

This story was originally published August 27, 2016 at 10:38 PM with the headline "Beltran snaps out of slump as Rangers slam Indians."