Colon’s 243rd victory matches Marichal’s mark

ARLINGTON, TEXAS » Bartolo Colon has always admired Hall of Fame pitcher and fellow countryman Juan Marichal.

Now the 45-year-old portly right-hander known as “Big Sexy” has matched the “Dominican Dandy” for the most wins by a pitcher born in the Dominican Republic.

Colon got his 243rd career victory after working five innings Wednesday night as the Texas Rangers beat the Oakland Athletics, 8-2.

“It’s a little different tonight because I tied the mark of a Hall of Famer. I feel very proud and honored to do that,” Colon said through a translator. “It means a lot. He’s Dominican and the first guy from the Dominican to become a Hall of Famer.”

In his fourth attempt at the milestone victory, Colon (3-3) got it against one of the 10 other major league teams he has pitched for since his big league debut in 1997 with Cleveland. He allowed two runs with one strikeout and two walks.

“Really incredible moment for Bartolo, for this team,” manager Jeff Banister said. “More importantly, I think for Bart, just continue to write his name in the history books and some legacy. ... To sit and watch a guy like this go out and compete every time he takes the ball, it’s incredible to watch.”

Colon leads all active pitchers with 243 wins and 3,383 2/3 innings pitched. His 2,499 strikeouts are third among active pitchers, behind CC Sabathia and Justin Verlander — all three are former AL Cy Young Award winners. Nicaragua’s Dennis Martinez, with 245 wins, is the only Latin American native with more wins than Colon.

“Milestones are very important. That’s why I keep playing,” Colon said. “It’s not the money. It’s something I try to fulfill. That’s why I keep playing, to meet these goals.”

Marichal was 243-142 in 471 games (457 starts) for three teams from 196075, spending the first 14 of those 16 seasons with the San Francisco Giants. Colon is 243-179 in 550 games (539 starts)

Jurickson Profar homered twice, while Joey Gallo and Ronald Guzman also went deep for the Rangers in the first four innings against Oakland right-handed starter Daniel Mengden (6-5). Profar had his first multihomer game, and added a two-run single in the seventh for a careerhigh five RBI.

Colon held the A’s scoreless until Khris Davis hit his 15th homer, a two-run shot that made it 6-2 with two outs in the fifth.

JIM COWSERT — ASSOCIATED PRESS Rangers starting pitcher Bartolo Colon acknowledges the Athletics bench before the first inning on June 6 in Arlington, Texas.