Tweet
DENVER -- Shin-Soo Choo was simply concentrating on having one more good at-bat. When his line drive went over center fielder Charlie Blackmon's head, Choo found himself chugging for third base and into the Texas Rangers' record book.
Choo's leadoff triple in the ninth inning completed the cycle, and Matt Harrison earned his first win in 14 months as the Rangers routed the Colorado Rockies 9-0 Tuesday night.
Delino DeShields had a career-high four hits and Prince Fielder homered for the Rangers, who won for only the third time in 13 games.
"A lot better than (Monday) night," Texas manager Jeff Banister said.
Choo, who had three RBIs, doubled in the second inning, homered in the fourth and singled in the fifth. When he came to the plate in the ninth he knew he had a chance to get the cycle with a triple against left-hander Rex Brothers. He drove Brothers' 92 mph fastball off the wall in center and headed for third with his teammates cheering him on.
"It's not an easy pitcher on the mound," Choo said. "I hit it well and (thought) maybe he can catch that. I'm not thinking about it before contact."
It was the eighth cycle in franchise history and first since Alex Rios did it Sept. 23, 2013, against Houston.
Boston Red Sox All-Star Brock Holt was the only other major leaguer to hit for the cycle this season, on June 16 against Atlanta.
Choo's leadoff triple in the ninth inning completed the cycle, and Matt Harrison earned his first win in 14 months as the Rangers routed the Colorado Rockies 9-0 Tuesday night.
Delino DeShields had a career-high four hits and Prince Fielder homered for the Rangers, who won for only the third time in 13 games.
"A lot better than (Monday) night," Texas manager Jeff Banister said.
Choo, who had three RBIs, doubled in the second inning, homered in the fourth and singled in the fifth. When he came to the plate in the ninth he knew he had a chance to get the cycle with a triple against left-hander Rex Brothers. He drove Brothers' 92 mph fastball off the wall in center and headed for third with his teammates cheering him on.
"It's not an easy pitcher on the mound," Choo said. "I hit it well and (thought) maybe he can catch that. I'm not thinking about it before contact."
It was the eighth cycle in franchise history and first since Alex Rios did it Sept. 23, 2013, against Houston.
Boston Red Sox All-Star Brock Holt was the only other major leaguer to hit for the cycle this season, on June 16 against Atlanta.