SAN FRANCISCO – Braves left fielder Eddie Rosario became the eighth player in franchise history to hit for the cycle in Sunday’s 3-0 win over the Giants in San Francisco.
Rosario doubled in his first at-bat and tripled into the deepest park of Oracle Park in his second. He homered in the seventh, completing the Braves’ three-run frame that secured their victory. He singled in the ninth to finish the cycle.
“I was so happy,” Rosario said. “I’ve tried before, came close in 2017 or 2018. I don’t remember. But I had the opportunity today and I did it.”
Rosario said it was his first cycle since doing so in the Gulf Coast League in 2010, five years before his major-league debut. He plans to display the ball from his ninth-inning single proudly in his house near the ball from his first-career home run.
“That’s quite a feat to do,” manager Brian Snitker said. “That’s a big deal for a hitter to hit for the cycle. A great accomplishment. Congratulations to him.”
It was the Braves’ second cycle this season. First baseman Freddie Freeman cycled on Aug. 18, becoming the second player in franchise history to complete the cycle twice. Before Freeman’s cycle this season, the Braves had gone over five years without one.
Now, they’ve achieved two of the four cycles in the majors this season. Then-Nationals shortstop Trea Turner and Padres infielder Jake Cronenworth also hit for the cycle.
“The cycle is something you don’t see very often,” said outfielder Adam Duvall, who homered in the seventh inning. “(Rosario) has been doing his thing and it’s been huge for us.”
Rosario’s cycle was statistically one of the most impressive in MLB history. A nugget from MLB statistician Jeremy Frank: Rosario saw just five pitches while completing the cycle, the fewest in such scenario since at least 1900. The previous low for pitches seen during a cycle was achieved by Neifi Perez, who saw eight pitches during his cycle on July 25, 1998.
“I’m really happy for him,” said starter Max Fried, who pitched seven scoreless innings Sunday. “His first career cycle in a big spot. We really needed that. It’s really cool. The cycle is really hard to do. Getting multiple hits in a game is hard, let alone four, one of each.”
It was indeed timely success for Rosario. The Braves avoided the sweep with their win and guaranteed themselves sole possession of first place in the National League East before beginning a four-game series in Arizona on Monday.