Crawford's record-breaking night capped off by two homers

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The Giants' thrilling 9-4 win over the Texas Rangers was a night Brandon Crawford will never forget. Breaking one of San Francisco's all-time records, Crawford also launched two home runs, capping off an incredible night for the 34-year-old. 

When the Giants took the field Tuesday evening in Arlington, Crawford passed New York Giants Hall of Famer Travis Jackson for the most games played (1,326) at shortstop in Giants history. 

After the game, Crawford discussed the special moment his team planned for him, and the recognition he got from the Rangers and the fans at the ballpark. 

“I didn’t know it was coming, so it was like a ‘Talladega Nights’ scene where I didn't know what to do," Crawford told "Giants Postgame Live." "It was kind of awkward, but it was awesome. I appreciated them doing that, and I got a pretty good amount of cheers here in Texas so that was definitely a cool moment.”

After launching his second home run of the game, a three-run home run in the top of the ninth inning, Crawford could be seen smiling alongside teammate Buster Posey. 

Crawford revealed that two of his longest-tenured teammates were left in disbelief following his team-leading 14th home run of the season. 

“[Brandon] Belt and Buster [Posey] were looking at me like, ‘where did that come from?’ It was almost like I was looking slider, which I actually wasn’t. Just kind of saw it pop and tried to put a good swing on it. They were kind of looking at me like, ‘who is this guy?’"

Crawford, who now stands alone atop the Giants' list of games played at the shortstop position, was honored to have passed the Hall of Famer Jackson. It turns out Crawford actually had his eye on Jackson's record since last season.

“It’s unbelievable," Crawford said. "It’s one of those things that you don’t really ever think about until you’re approaching it. I think my dad or someone let me know last year that it was possible for me to pass him. I did do a little research then because he kept coming up in a lot of different categories that I could potentially catch him in.

"He had a great career, Hall of Famer, but to be able to pass him and all of the other great Giants shortstops is something I never thought about. It’s a very cool accomplishment, one of my favorites probably throughout my career.”   

RELATED: What we learned as Giants beat Rangers behind late homers

Crawford's incredible season thus far has him on pace to surpass both his career-high in home runs (21) and RBI (84) set in 2015. After the game, Crawford was asked if he's more confident at the plate now than at any other point during his career. 

“It’s up there with a couple of hot stretches that I think I've had," Crawford said. "This is definitely more consistent I think, to where it’s a pretty simple approach, a lot simpler swing than I've had in the past. I can go up there and look for a pitch to drive, and put a good swing on the ball every at-bat.” 

The Giants' shortstop continues to tear the cover off the ball and could be playing in his third career All-Star Game come July 13th. 

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