Arizona's Hill hits for a second cycle

MILWAUKEE, Wisconsin (AFP) –

Aaron Hill of the Arizona Diamondbacks slides into 3rd base on a triple in the 6th inning during game action against the Milwaukee Breweers at Miller Park on June 29. Hill became the first Major League Baseball player since 1931 to hit for the cycle twice in a season as the Diamondbacks defeated the Milwaukee Brewers 9-3

Arizona’s Aaron Hill became the first Major League Baseball player since 1931 to hit for the cycle twice in a season as the Diamondbacks defeated the Milwaukee Brewers 9-3.

Hill, who also hit for the cycle on June 18, registered his 1,000th career hit with a ground-rule double in the first inning. Hitting for the cycle comprises a single, double, triple and home run in the same game.

“It was obviously great to get the cycle but it was also great to get the win. It wouldn’t be as enjoyable if we had lost,” said Hill.

Hill is the first to achieve the feat twice since Babe Herman did it as a member of the Brooklyn Dodgers in 1931.

His fourth-inning homer scored Willie Bloomquist, as did his triple in the sixth, which gave the Diamondbacks a 9-1 lead. He singled and scored as part of a five-run third.

Hill’s previous cycle this season came against the Seattle Mariners.