Altuve reaches 200 hits again

Houston Astros second baseman Jose Altuve has reached 200 hits for the fourth season in a row.

With his single in the first inning of Wednesday’s game against the Rangers in Arlington, Texas, Altuve became only the fourth righthanded hitter in major league history with four consecutive 200-hit seasons.

The last right-handed hitter with at least four consecutive 200-hit seasons was Michael Young, with five in a row for Texas from 2003 to 2007. The others to do it were Kirby Puckett for Minnesota from 1986-89 and Al Simons from 192932 (Philadelphia Athletics) and 1933 (Chicago White Sox).

If Altuve finishes the season as the AL hits leader, he will be the first player ever to lead the AL or NL in hits outright in four consecutive seasons.

In other MLB news:

San Francisco Giants pitcher Matt Cain says he’ll retire after his start at home on Saturday against San Diego. The 32-year-old told his teammates on Wednesday. He pitched the first perfect game in Giants history in 2012. Cain is 3-11 this season.

The right-hander has a career record of 104-118 with a 3.69 ERA.

The Giants hold an option for one more season on the three-time all-star.

Adrian Beltre is likely done for the season after playing 13 games with a strained left hamstring before the Rangers were eliminated from playoff contention.

“I want to be there for the guys, but I’m kind of dumb to be playing,” said Beltre, who got his 3,000th career hit in July.

“We’re at the point where we’d really like for Adrian to heal up,” manager Jeff Banister said. “Exceptional player, been able to put himself through what you guys have seen to play and give this team everything that he’s got in an effort to try to get us to the playoffs.”