A night after the Texas Rangers beat the Boston Red Sox -- going 3-for-10 with runners in scoring position in the process -- they went 0-for-5 in that situation during a 2-1 loss Tuesday. Situational hitting continues to be a key for the first-place Rangers.

PODCAST
Rangers 3B Adrian Beltre discusses the team's issues pushing in runners, Josh Hamilton's struggles and the trade deadline. Listen

"That's one of the things we are missing," said Rangers third baseman Adrian Beltre, a guest on Rangers Baseball Tonight before the loss to the Red Sox. "I think we have quite the number of chances to bring a guy in with a ground ball or a fly ball, and we have missed those situations. It's part of baseball. We are going to go through slumps like that.

"We hope that, collectively, we'll be able to capitalize in those situations where we (don't) let the starter escape when he's in the hole and give him more momentum, some more confidence."

The Rangers have scored 57 runs in July, the fewest this month in the American League. In the 17 games, the Rangers are 26-for-123 (.211) with runners in scoring position. Beltre is a .308 hitter with RISP for the season.

Beltre also discussed what he sees when he watches Josh Hamilton at the plate, the season-ending injury to Colby Lewis and the trade market (including former teammate Ichiro Suzuki being dealt and what the Rangers might do).

Late in Wednesday's game, Beltre was hit in the left side of the head by a 92-mph pitch from Vicente Padilla and left the game. An exam revealed no concussion, but he has a contusion.

Due to time limitations, only a portion of this interview aired on last night's radio broadcast. Listen to the podcast for the extended version.