ARLINGTON -- Despite Prince Fielder's down year at the plate, the 31-year-old designated hitter has been a leader in the Rangers clubhouse during his three-year stint with the team. That made the news before Monday's game that he's expected to have season-ending neck surgery for the second time in three years a tough pill to swallow.
But the Rangers got a boost from another unquestioned leader in their 7-6 win over the A's in Adrian Beltre, who belted a two-run walk-off homer to left-center to help the Rangers gain their first game over the Astros in the American League West standings since June 26.