When Sunday afternoon’s slate of MLB games began, no player had hit for the cycle during the 2014 season. But during the second game of the Reds-Rockies doubleheader, outfielder Michael Cuddyer abruptly ended that streak.
In the eighth inning of the game, Cuddyer came to the plate needing just a double to complete the cycle.
And he delivered—ripping a shot down the left-field line for a stand-up double.
And here’s how it happened.
.@mcuddy3. Cycle. http://t.co/ydvyBsw9de
— MLB GIFS (@MLBGIFs) August 18, 2014
He started off the game on the right note by tripling off Dylan Axelrod in the first inning. He then one-upped that and homered off Axelrod in the sixth. In the seventh inning, he singled off Carlos Contreras. And he ended with a bang—doubling off Manny Parra in the eighth inning to complete the cycle.
It’s important to note that Cuddyer is human. He struck out in the third inning.
Cuddyer is the 23rd player in the last 100 years to hit for the cycle more than once. He also did it as a member of the Minnesota Twins in 2009.
#Rockies Michael Cuddyer is the third player in #MLB history to hit a cycle in both the American League and the National League.
— Ace of MLB Stats (@AceballStats) August 18, 2014
It will be interesting to see if any other player manages to hit for the cycle during the remainder of the season. Either way, it’s a great achievement by Cuddyer as it’s a feat that only a select few have accomplished twice.
[MLB.com]