Rangers' Adrian Beltre matches MLB best with third career cycle

ARLINGTON, Texas -- Adrian Beltre came to bat in the fifth inning looking for a pitch he could hit over the wall. He got one to match an MLB record.

Beltre homered in his fourth at-bat to complete his third career cycle, becoming the first player since the 1930s to accomplish that, in the Texas Rangers' wild 12-9 victory over the AL West-leading Houston Astros on Monday night.

"Not going to lie, I was looking for a home run," said Beltre, who lined a fastball into the seats in left field.

A two-run triple by Beltre in the first inning put the Rangers ahead to stay at 3-2. He had a double in the second on another ball hit into the left-center gap, but he suddenly put on the brakes after rounding the base hard instead of going for another triple.

"I thought I might, but I changed my mind last second," said Beltre, who rapidly circled both of his arms like he was trying to reverse his momentum.

Asked whether he was thinking then about preserving the chance for a cycle, Beltre paused briefly before responding, "Maybe."

Beltre had a single in the third before his ninth homer of the season completed the cycle against the third Astros pitcher. He was one of five Texas players with multiple RBIs in the game.

The last major leaguer with three career cycles was Babe Herman, who had two in 1931 and one in 1933, according to research provided by the Elias Sports Bureau to the Rangers. The only other big leaguers with three career cycles are Bob Meusel (1921, 1922 and 1928) and John Reilly (twice in 1883 and 1890).

"He's our leader, and it's just another testament, another story, another chapter in his book," Rangers starting pitcher Colby Lewis said of Beltre, the 36-year-old third baseman in his 18th major league season.

"What an incredible feat for him," manager Jeff Banister said. "Truly amazing."

All three of Beltre's cycles have come at the Rangers' ballpark, two for the home team and one as a visitor when he was playing forSeattleon Sept. 1, 2008. His other cycle for Texas wasAug. 24, 2012, against Minnesota -- and he's the first player to have more than one in the Rangers' 55-season franchise history.

It was the ninth cycle in Rangers' history, their sixth since the beginning of the 2009 season, twice as many as any other team in the major leagues in that span --ArizonaandColoradohavethree each. Arizona in 2012 was the last team with two cycles in the same season. The last AL team with multiple cycles in the same year wasMinnesotain 2009.