ARLINGTON -- Bartolo Colon reinforced his already-prominent place in Dominican Republic baseball history when he earned his 243rd career win in the Rangers' 8-2 victory over the Athletics on Wednesday night.
The victory ties Colon with Hall of Famer Juan Marichal for the most ever by a pitcher from the Dominican Republic. He is two shy of Dennis Martinez, who hails from Nicaragua, and holds the record of 245 wins by a pitcher from Latin America.
"I feel very happy because I finally got my 243rd win," Colon said. "I tied this mark with a Hall of Famer, so I feel very proud and honored to do that. It means a lot. Because he's Dominican. He was the first guy from the Dominican to become a Hall of Famer."
Colon succeeded in his fourth try at the record, allowing two runs on six hits and two walks. He struck out one, which left him with 2,499th for his career. He needs one more to become the 34th pitcher in Major League history with 2,500 career strikeouts. But one milestone at a time.

"Really incredible moment for Bartolo, for this team," Rangers manager Jeff Banister said. "More importantly, I think for Bart, just continue to write his name in the history books and some legacy. When we get to watch these things, be part of it, I know for myself and the coaching staff, to sit and watch a guy like this go out and compete every time he takes the ball, it's incredible to watch. On a night that, really, it was a grind for him.

The Rangers gave him plenty of offensive support with four home runs. Jurickson Profar hit two of them -- the first multi-homer game of his career -- and Joey Gallo and Ronald Guzman each added one. The Rangers have nine home runs in two games against the Athletics after hitting just three in seven games on the past road trip.

"It feels good every time we get a win," Profar said. "Every time it feels good, but especially for Bartolo tonight. It was even better."
"Guy has been doing it for 20 years," catcher Robinson Chirinos said. "It's unbelievable. To be a part of this is a blessing for me, for the whole team. He told me after he finished the fifth inning, 'Can you save the last out and give me the ball?'"
Colon said he will give that to his father.
"Yeah, the milestones are very important," Colon said. "That's why I keep playing. It's not the money. It's something I'm trying to fulfill and make these goals."
Colon did not set down the side in order over any of his five innings. But he pitched four scoreless innings to begin the night and took a 6-0 lead into the fifth.
He retired the first two hitters in the fifth but Jed Lowrie doubled and Khris Davis followed with a two-run home run. The Rangers had Matt Bush warming up, and Matt Olson followed with a high fly to deep right. But Nomar Mazara caught it on the warning track to end the inning and Bush took over in the sixth.

"No clean innings, but he continued to pitch, trying to make some pitches," Banister said. "He had 12 five-pitch or more at-bats, so just kind of tells you how he really grinded through five." 

MOMENTS THAT MATTERED
Profar hit two home runs and had a career-high five RBIs out of the cleanup spot. It was the first multi-homer game of Profar's career. Profar last hit in the cleanup spot came on May 22 against the Yankees, where he hit a three-run home run off starter Domingo German. Profar's five RBIs tied a season-high for a Rangers player. Mazara recorded five RBIs on May 3 against the Red Sox.

YOU GOTTA SEE THIS
Guzman's home run in the fourth was his first home run in 11 games. According to Statcast™, Guzman's homer had an exit velocity of 106.4 mph and an estimated distance of 396 feet. He did not have a home run during the Rangers' recent seven-game road trip. Guzman hit four home runs during the seven-game homestand in May against the Yankees and Royals.

HE SAID IT
"He's found a way to stick around, obviously, doing things a little differently. He doesn't throw 97 miles an hour, but what he'll do is, he'll throw 83, he'll throw 85, he'll throw 87, he's still on the corners, or just off the corners to get you to expand your zone. And then he'll run one up there 91, 92 every now, and then and it looks like it's 100." -- Athletics manager Bob Melvin, on Colon
MITEL REPLAY OF THE DAY
With two outs in the eighth, Davis attempted to score from second on Mark Canha's single to right. Davis was called out on his slide at home after a strong throw from Mazara. The A's challenged the play, but the call was confirmed.

UP NEXT
Adrian Beltre is expected back in the starting lineup when the Rangers open a four-game series with the Astros at 7:05 p.m. CT Thursday at Globe Life Park. Beltre is expected to start as the designated hitter, according to Banister, after being out of the lineup on Wednesday. Beltre has been on the disabled list twice this season because of a strained left hamstring and the Rangers are being cautious on how they use him. This will be his fifth start in seven games since being activated off the disabled list and it will be the fourth time at designated hitter. Left-hander Cole Hamels pitches for the Rangers against right-hander Gerrit Cole for the Astros.