Agencies/Denver
Michael Cuddyer hit for the cycle to highlight Colorado’s doubleheader sweep of Cincinnati.
Cuddyer doubled in the eighth inning, where the Rockies scored five runs (10-5), to complete the feat. Along with John Olerud and Bob Watson, Cuddyer became the third player to hit for the cycle in both the National and American Leagues.
The Rockies beat the Reds 10-9 in the earlier game.
Cuddyer, reinstated from the disabled list earlier in the day after missing 60 games with a left shoulder fracture, tripled in the first, homered in the fifth and singled in the seventh to become the seventh Rockies player to hit for the cycle and first since Carlos Gonzalez on July 31, 2010 against the Chicago Cubs.
Adam Ottavino (1-4) picked up the win in relief and reliever Carlos Contreras (0-1), who allowed five runs in 10 innings, took the loss.
Ryan Ludwick had a two-run homer in the sixth off Yohan Flande to help the Reds take a 5-2 lead into the seventh. But the Rockies pulled even in their half of the seventh with the help of the Reds’ second error, which came with the bases loaded and one out after Colorado had pulled within two.
Reds third baseman Ramon Santiago cleanly fielded Nolan Arenado’s hard RBI bouncer down the line and stepped on the bag for the force, but his throw to first was wide and rolled onto the dirt track in foul territory, allowing two runners to cross the plate.
That set the stage for another big finish by the Rockies. After Brandon Barnes and Charlie Culberson each singled with one out in the eighth, Manny Parra relieved Contreras, and Josh Rutledge beat out an infield single to load the bases with two outs.
Corey Dickerson, who earlier extended his hitting streak to 12 games, and Cuddyer followed with successive two-run doubles. Cuddyer sent his drive down the third-base line and emphatically clapped his hands as he pulled into second base. It was his second career cycle. He also did it against Milwaukee on May 22, 2009 while with the Minnesota Twins.
Cuddyer is one of just 30 players in Major League history with two career cycles and the first player since Adrian Beltre, who got his second in August 2012, to notch a pair. Three players (Babe Herman, Bob Meusel and John Reilly) have three cycles, but no one has accomplished that feat since 1933.
In the first game, the Reds carried a 9-5 lead into the ninth, but All-Star closer Aroldis Chapman walked four straight batters before he was replaced by Hoover. Pinch hitter Wilin Rosario then hit a sacrifice fly to trim Cincinnati’s lead to two.
After Blackmon flied out, Stubbs drove a 1-0 pitch from Hoover (1-9) into the seats in left-center for his 12th homer. It was Stubbs’ third career game-ending homer and first with the Rockies.
He finished with three hits against his first major league team, and then was doused with ice water by a teammate during an on-field interview after the game.
“They’re the team that drafted me and brought me to the big leagues, so I got a lot of friends over there, a lot of people I have good relationships with,” Stubbs said.
“But at the same time, it’s always nice when a team trades you to get a little retribution.”
It was a tough loss for the Reds.
“I don’t think I can put it into words to be honest with you,” manager Bryan Price said.
“The fact that [I’ve got to talk about it] right now is very difficult. We’re six minutes removed from the game being over. “I’m not angry at anybody, but it’s a difficult loss to take.”
Rex Brothers (4-5) picked up the victory despite allowing a pair of runs in the top of the ninth. Arenado tied a career high with four hits for Colorado, and he also had a leadoff walk in the ninth.
The doubleheader was set up by Saturday night’s water main break outside Coors Field that left the ballpark without running water and forced the game to be pushed back one day.
The water main was repaired by city crews overnight. Jay Bruce and Kris Negron homered for the Reds.
Colorado Rockies Michael Cuddyer in action against against Cincinnati on Sunday. PICTURE: USA TODAY Sports
