Texas Rangers manager stands by Adrian Beltre

Sep 6, 2013; Anaheim, CA, USA; Texas Rangers third baseman Adrian Beltre (29) runs in a score after a single hit by Texas Rangers right fielder Alex Rios (not pictured) against the Los Angeles Angels during the third inning at Angel Stadium of Anaheim. Mandatory Credit: Kelvin Kuo-USA TODAY Sports /

Texas Rangers slugger Adrian Beltre has been going through quite the slump lately. The Rangers have slid with him going 3-7 over the last 10 games. In the last seven days Beltre has 4 hits in 22 at bats with a .182 average. He also has posted only 1 run and 2 RBIs in that stretch. In his last 60 at-bats he has 7 RBIs.

The Rangers aren’t panicking and manager Ron Washington is sticking by his slugger.

“We know what his track record is and know what he’s capable of doing,’’ Washington said, via the Dallas Morning News. “The game is finding him, and he’s challenged. He’s the kind of guy who always rises to a challenge. I’m looking forward to him coming back.’’

His season numbers are significantly higher than that stretch. For the 2012 season he has batted .318 with 28 home runs and 85 RBIs. In his previous 21 at-bats with runners in scoring position Beltre only had two hits.

This has the Rangers publicly displaying cool while fans are more worried. They’ve given up first place in the AL West to the Oakland Athletics who are 7-3 in their last 10 games.

Right now they’d get one of the two Wild Card playoff berths. Tampa Bay holds the other spot behind the Rangers and they have a 1.5 game lead over the Cleveland Indians and Baltimore Orioles.

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