Bartolo Colon picks up win number 243, tying Juan Marichal for the most ever wins by a Domincan-born player.

Jurickson Profar had a night.

His first multi-home run game, and his career high in RBIs with five.

The former number-one prospect in all of the world has been mostly a disappointment in his career. But, in his defense, he has been jacked around, moved from position to position, brought up and sent down, and suffered a horrible injury that cost him two seasons.

He’s finally getting regular playing time and is holding his own. He’s tied for ninth in doubles and third in triples in the American League this season. His batting average and on-base percentage aren’t all that special, but he is certainly a productive backup to Elvis Andrus, and might just be the starting shortstop next season if Andrus opts out of his contract, which Scott Boras almost always does.

Profar’s big night came during the sudden awakening of the offense. After struggling to score on the recently completed road trip, where they scored three runs or fewer in five of the seven games, the Rangers bludgeoned the Athletics with nine home runs in a two-game sweep of Oakland.

The Rangers have now clawed back to ten games under .500, and face the second-place Astros for four.

Let’s hope the offense, and Profar, stay woke.

*****
TODAY’S GAME:

Garrit Cole (6-1, 2.20) vs. Cole Hamels (3-5, 3.63)
Game time: 7:05

How the Astros hit against Hamels.
How the Rangers hit against Cole.