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Rangers third baseman Adrian Beltre leaves playoff game in tears with injury

Texas Rangers third baseman Adrian Beltre had to be removed from Game 1 of the American League Division Series against the Toronto Blue Jays on Thursday after suffering a lower-back injury.

Beltre hit an RBI-single to center in the top of the third inning and had a hard time running to first base, but the club said the injury actually occurred when Beltre was sliding into second base during the first inning while trying to break up a double play.

Beltre remained in the game as a baserunner but was clearly in pain and seemed unable to run. When the inning ended and Rangers manager Jeff Banister came out on the field to take Beltre out of the game, the 36-year-old was in tears.

UPDATE: Beltre has a back strain. There is no structural damage to his back. While he has not been ruled out for Game 2, it seems unlikely he will play.

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Hanser Alberto replaced Beltre at third base. It is the first playoff game in Alberto's career and the ball found him in the fourth inning. He failed to field a grounder cleanly missing a chance to turn a double play. Toronto scored its first run when the next batter hit a slow, high bouncer his way and he was unable to make a bare-handed play.

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Kyle Ringo is a contributing writer to Big League Stew on Yahoo Sports. Have a tip? Email him at kyle.ringo@yahoo.com or follow him on Twitter! Follow @KyleRingo