The Boston Red Sox snapped a seven game losing streak Tuesday afternoon, due in large part to a feat that no Red Sox player had accomplished in almost 20 years. Utility man Brock Holt, who can play every position on the field aside from pitcher and catcher, became the first Red Sox player to hit for the cycle since John Valentin did it on June 6, 1996, and the first American League East player to do it since 2009. He is just the 21st player in team history to hit for the cycle.
Holt, already exceptionally valuable to the team due to his versatility in the field, is also having a very strong season at the dish. His triple slash line now reads .309/.400/.454 for the season, and on Tuesday he went 4-5 with two runs batted in and two runs scored to lead the Red Sox to a 9-4 win over the Atlanta Braves.
Holt started his cycle off by doubling off Braves starter Julio Teheran in the bottom of the first inning. He was swiftly driven in by a Mookie Betts double. His next time up, in the third inning, he recorded his only out of the day by hitting a grounder to first.
Holt collected his single in the fifth and though he was caught stealing soon afterward, he did not wait long to make up for it. In the seventh inning, Holt launched a solo shot into the seats atop the Green Monster, making it 6-2 Red Sox at the time. A single by Betts followed, and Teheran’s night was over.
The change in pitcher mattered little to Holt, who was not finished with the Braves. In the eighth inning, Holt collected his triple, driving the ball to deep center field off reliever Sugar Ray Marimon. He drove in Rusney Castillo, running to score up to 9-2 and completing his historic feat. The Red Sox would go on to win the game and snap a dismal losing streak, over the course of which they played some awful baseball. For one day, at least, Boston, and Holt in particular, has a reason to celebrate.
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