When Adrian Beltre came up to bat in the fifth inning of Monday's game against the Houston Astros, he likely had two at-bats left in him — at least one.
Beltre already had a triple, double and single (in that order) under his belt and knew what he needed. He promptly got it when he drilled a Mike Fiers offering into the left field stands, completing his third career cycle in just five innings.
After the game, Beltre said he knew exactly what he was doing.
"100 percent, yes," Beltre told reporters when asked if he was swinging for the fences.
It was a historic night at Globe Life, as Beltre became just the fourth player in MLB history to record his third cycle, and the first since the early 1930s making him the first of the modern era. According to Elias, he also became the first player to hit for the cycle three times in the same ballpark — once as a visitor.
The cycle isn't necessarily a display of greatness as much as chance, but it's still an impressive feat and about as rare as a no-hitter. Is it adding to Adrian Beltre's ever-growing Hall of Fame case? Maybe, but at this point, the veteran third baseman doesn't need more ammo.
