Adrian Beltre Hits 3 Homers as Texas Rangers Beat Tampa Bay Rays to Advance to ALCS

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 yesterday to win their ALDS series.

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 American League Division Series.

"This is great," Beltre told MLB.com. "This is the reason I wanted to sign with this team, to put a ring on my finger. We're looking pretty good, but we still have a long way to go."

Ian Kinsler also talked about the win to MLB.com, "It's unbelievable. We've fought all year. To get back to the ALCS, get a chance to defend our title and go back to the World Series, that's what we wanted all year."

Texas ended the Rays' remarkable run to the AL wild-card spot, and will play for the pennant against the winner of the Tigers-Yankees series.

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.

The American League Championship Series is scheduled to start on Saturday, and if the Rangers face the Tigers, they get home field advantage.

Information from the Associated Press used in this report