"Numbers, it turns out, aren't Adrian Beltre's thing.

A simple reminder of his career totals made the Texas Rangers third baseman's skin crawl. It took some intestinal fortitude to keep him from turning away from the update.

"He's one of the most humble guys I know," reliever Mark Lowe said.

Though he makes his living in a game that is tied to numbers more than any other sport, Beltre probably cares only about games played. But, whether he likes to hear it or not, he is at the stage of his career where impressive milestones are within his reach.

And he's going to reach two very soon.

Surprised? Those who are asleep before West Coast ballgames end might be. But Beltre's peers know how good a career he has had, and, besides, the numbers say so, too.

"I don't know those things. I just know sometimes when my agent tells me," Beltre said. "It means I've accomplished something, but it's nothing that I'm looking forward to. I just play the game, and whatever comes after that comes. It means that you have had at least a decent career."

His ninth-inning rocket Tuesday night gave him 20 home runs for a ninth time in his career. The solo shot was the 298th homer of his career and went down as career hit No. 1,991.

At some point in the next few weeks Beltre is likely to become the 262nd player all-time with 2,000 hits and the 132nd with 300 homers. He would be 20th and 22nd among active players in hits and homers, respectively.

He was also second in the American League in RBIs entering Wednesday's game against the LA Angels.

That's decent."