Beltre on latest loss: We're still giving it our all

ARLINGTON -- Third baseman Adrián Beltré made it clear: The Rangers may be struggling, but they are still trying to win.
"We are all coming out here and trying to win ballgames," Beltre said. "That's all we are trying to do. Yes, we are developing players, but at the same time that is not a reason for us to come out here and not try to win a ballgame."
That has been a tough proposition for the Rangers lately, especially against the Rays pitching. The Rangers were shut out for the second straight night and they went down for the 15th time in 21 games with a 4-0 loss to the Rays on Tuesday night at Globe Life Park.

Rays starter Blake Snell held the Rangers scoreless on one hit through five innings and earned his Major League-leading 20th win. The Rangers managed just four hits on the night and were shut out in back-to-back games for the first time at home since Aug. 13-14, 2016.
"Obviously it's not expected, but it happens," Beltre said. "We are facing some good teams, sometimes we are facing teams that are better than us, some teams that are supposed to be worse than us. But we come every day with the same mentality to win ballgames. Sometimes you run into a tough opponent like we did tonight and it's not going to work out, but you still come back tomorrow and try to win."
Rangers starter Yovani Gallardo certainly is trying to win every game possible. He is a free agent after the season and is hoping to work his way into the Rangers plans for next year. But he took the loss on Tuesday night, allowing three runs in five innings.

Gallardo had baserunners in every inning. He faced 24 batters over five innings and 12 reached base on eight hits, three walks and one hit batter. But the only damage against him came in the fourth.
Gallardo started the inning by striking out Brandon Lowe and C.J. Cron. But Kevin Kiermaier drew a walk after fouling off two full-count pitches and Willy Adames followed with a two-run home run to center off a first-pitch fastball. Back-to-back doubles by Jesús Sucre and Joey Wendle made it 3-0.

"I thought early on he threw the ball well," Rangers manager Jeff Banister said. "He did what he wanted to with the soft fastball, threw it where he wanted to. He managed his innings well except for that one inning."

Gallardo joined the Rangers rotation on June 17 and went 7-1 with a 4.97 ERA and a 1.38 WHIP through his first nine starts. He is 1-5 with a 7.39 ERA and a 1.86 WHIP in his last seven starts with two more to go through the end of the season.
"Just want to finish strong," Gallardo said. "This year has been a grind for all of us. Just a matter of finishing up on a good note.
"Had some rough outings and good outings, I've shown I have been able to go out and compete and still have it. This game, you never stop learning no matter how much service time you have. You keep making adjustments. I feel good, my body feels great, the next few outings finish strong and go from there."
SOUND SMART
The last opposing pitcher to earn his 20th win against the Rangers was Jered Weaver of the Angels on Sept. 28, 2012.
YOU GOTTA SEE THIS
Hanser Alberto, getting a rare start at second base, had a one-out double in the eighth inning. It was the Rangers first extra-base hit in 17 innings against Rays pitchers.

HE SAID IT
"Now he is abusing me. It would be nice to see some compassion," Beltre, when told Snell grew up in the Seattle area and Beltre was his favorite player while with the Mariners.
UP NEXT
Left-hander Yohander Méndez pitches against the Rays at 1:05 p.m. CT Wednesday at Globe Life Park. Mendez is 2-0 with a 1.20 ERA in two starts and one relief appearance since being called up at the beginning of September. He pitched five scoreless innings in a 4-0 victory over the Padres on Friday. He was 2-10 with a 4.71 ERA in 23 starts in the Minor Leagues.