Adrian Beltre needs just five innings to complete third career cycle

Alec Brzezinski

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Adrian Beltre needs just five innings to complete third career cycle image

Each night we'll provide you with the nine top story lines from the day's action, beginning with the stars of the day, and look ahead to the next day's matchups.

Adrian Beltre became just the fourth player in MLB history to hit three-career cycles on Monday, and it only took him five innings to do it.

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He tripled in the first inning, doubled in the second, singled in the third and blasted a home run in the fifth to complete one of the quickest cycles in MLB history. Beltre became the first person to hit for cycle in five innings or less since Melvin Upton Jr. in 2009. 

The game was just as wild as Beltre's stat line. The Rangers bounced Astros starting pitcher Lance McCullers Jr. after one out in the first inning. Texas ended up winning 12-9 as the two teams combined for 28 hits.

Here are more highlights from Monday's games:

Impact players

C — A.J. Pierzynski, Braves: He may be one of the most disliked players in baseball, but that hasn't stopped him from having a great year. He went 4 for 6 against the Giants with a home run, two RBIs and two runs scored.

1B — Brandon Belt, Giants: Belt went 3 for 5 with a solo home run and two runs scored, despite losing in extra innings to the Braves.

2B — Jedd Gyorko, Padres; Jace Peterson, Braves: Gyorko went 3 for 5 with a home run, two RBIs and two runs scored in a 13-5 win against the Brewers. Peterson went 3 for 5 with a home run, three RBIs and two runs scored, and now has six hits in his last two games.

SS — Nick Ahmed, Diamondbacks: Ahmed went 4 for 4 with a solo home run and two runs scored in a win against the Nationals.

3B — Kyle Seager, Mariners: He led Seattle with a 3-for-4 game in its 8-7 victory against Colorado. Seager hit a solo home run, scored three runs and stole a base in an all-around effort.

OF — The Mets outfield: Yes, the entire Mets outfield went off against the Marlins. Newly acquired Yoenis Cespedes went 3 for 5 with two runs scored and four RBIs. Curtis Granderson went 3 for 5 with two runs scored, two RBIs and a walk, and Michael Conforto went 2 for 4 with three runs scored, a home run (the first of his career) and three RBIs.

DH — Prince Fielder, Rangers: Fielder went 2 for 5 with two runs scored and two RBIs in Texas' win against the Astros.

SP — David Price, Blue Jays: Price was terrific in his Toronto debut, allowing one run over eight innings with 11 strikeouts.

Key injuries

Braves first baseman Freddie Freeman was pulled from Monday's game against the Giants with a right oblique strain and is considered day to day.

Padres outfielder Justin Upton injured his right thumb when making a running catch and is considered day to day.

Web gems

Indians center fielder Michael Bourn makes an unbelievable catch:

This was a pretty nifty stop on a truly terrible pitch:

Surprise performers

Good: Braves third baseman Adonis Garcia: Garcia hit a two-run, walkoff home run in the 12th inning against the Giants. It's his third home run in 11 MLB games this year. 

Bad: Diamondbacks first baseman Paul Goldschmidt: Don't get us wrong, Goldy's still having a phenomenal year, but after going 0 for 4 against the Nationals, he's now hitless in his last three games.

Facts of the day

It pays to be aggressive:

Carlos Correa likes his pitches inside — way inside.

Minor league action:

An Arizona rookie continues his hot start:

The Nats have picked a poor time to go cold:

This just in — King Felix is good:

Reactions

Angry face:

Bryce Harper isn't worried about his team's losing streak:

Off the field

The Indians placed second baseman Jason Kipnis on the 15-day disabled list, retroactive to Sunday, with right shoulder soreness.

The Athletics activated outfielder Coco Crisp (neck) from the 60-day DL.

Pirates starting pitcher A.J. Burnett will be sidelined for at least the next four weeks after being diagnosed with a right flexor strain.

Monday's scores

American League

Blue Jays 5, Twins 1
Rays 5, White Sox 4
Rangers 12, Astros 9
Orioles 9, Athletics 2
Angels 5, Indians 4

National League

Diamondbacks 6, Nationals 4
Mets 12, Marlins 1
Braves 9, Giants 8, 12 innings
Pirates at Cubs, ppd., rain
Padres 13, Brewers 5

Interleague

Mariners 8, Rockies 7

A look ahead

The three best games Tuesday (all times Eastern):

Cubs (57-47) at Pirates (61-43), 7:05 p.m.: Jake Arrieta (11-6, 2.62 ERA) faces off against newly acquired J.A. Happ (4-6, 4.64 ERA) in a heated division rivalry. Both teams are currently in the playoff picture, and could use a win.

Twins (54-51) at Blue Jays (55-52), 7:07 p.m.: This one could be high-scoring with Phil Hughes (10-6, 4.11 ERA) and Marco Estrada (8-6, 3.53 ERA) each pitching against a hot offense.

Royals (62-42) at Tigers (51-54), 7:08 p.m.: The Tigers may have traded half their team before the trade deadline, but this division rivalry remains intense. Danny Duffy (4-5, 4.28 ERA) will face Justin Verlander (1-3, 4.68 ERA).

Alec Brzezinski