The Milwaukee Brewers back-up catcher George Kottaras had a career night against the Houston Astros as he became the seventh player in franchise history to hit for the cycle.
Kottaras doesn’t play a lot, but received the start on Saturday night because left-handed batters fare well against the Astros’ Bud Norris. Kottaras is the first player in the MLB to complete the rare cycle this season.
If it wasn’t for the crazy dimensions of Houston’s Minute Maid Park, Kottaras would have had three home-runs. He told Brewers.com, “Hitting [for] the cycle and having three homers in a game, they’re both rarities,” Kottaras said. “I’ll take it, for sure.”
Instead, the catcher started with the hard part by hitting a solo home-run in the fourth followed by a triple in the sixth. He singled in the seventh and completed the cycle with a ground-rule double in the ninth inning.
Oddly, Kottaras is the third straight Brewers bench player to hit for the cycle. Jody Gerut was the last to do so in 2010 after only 71 at-bats with the team. Prior to that, back-up catcher Chad Moeller accomplished the feat in 2004. Paul Molitor, Robin Yount, Charlie Moore and Mike Hegan are the other Brewers to hit for the cycle.
The Brewers ultimately won the game 8-2, but received even more rarities from bench players. Infielder Craig Counsell, who weathered a 45 at-bat hit-less streak earlier this season, went yard for possibly the last time in his career. In fact, the home-run was his first extra-base hit since June 10th. Prospect Taylor Green made his major league debut with a 2-for-5 night, including a double, run and RBI.
Were you surprised by George Kottaras’ cycle? Let me know by commenting below!
Nick Grays is a senior writer at the Sports Bank where he covers the Wisconsin Badgers, Green Bay Packers, and Milwaukee Brewers. He also enjoys to share Fantasy Advice from time-to-time. Follow him on Twitter by clicking here or visit his blog Nick Knows Best.