Atlanta Braves first baseman Freddie Freeman became the third player to hit for the cycle during the 2021 season on Wednesday, accomplishing the feat against the Miami Marlins.
Freeman doubled in the first inning against Marlins starter Jesús Luzardo. He then tripled versus Luzardo to lead off the fourth inning. Freeman wouldn't get a third crack against Luzardo; instead, he delivered a single in the fifth inning off Sean Guenther. Freeman delivered the home run in the sixth inning, with a two-run shot against Luis Madero.
Take a look:
.@FreddieFreeman5 is the seventh player in franchise history to hit for the cycle and the FIRST to do so multiple times!#ForTheA | #MVFree pic.twitter.com/ZCPNdm8GJ0
— Atlanta Braves (@Braves) August 19, 2021
As mentioned, Freeman is the third player to hit for the cycle this year, joining Los Angeles Dodgers infielder Trea Turner (who did it as a member of the Washington Nationals on June 30) and San Diego Padres shortstop Jake Cronenworth (July 16). Freeman is the first Braves player to accomplish the feat since … well, himself. He previously hit for the cycle on June 15, 2016.
Overall, Freeman's cycle was the eighth in Braves franchise history. It's the fourth since the franchise moved to Atlanta, joining his previous one, Mark Kotsay's (August 14, 2008), and Albert Hall's (September 23, 1987), according to research conducted by MLB.com.
Freeman, 31, entered Wednesday hitting .296/.394/.503 (131 OPS+) with 26 home runs in his first 119 games this season. Freeman, it should be noted, is set to qualify for free agency come this winter.
The Braves are looking to continue their recent hot play. Atlanta entered Wednesday's game with a 20-11 second-half record, including a 12-3 mark in August. The Braves recent play has been good enough to open up a 2 ½ game lead in the National League East over the Philadelphia Phillies. The Braves finished the first half with a 44-45 record.
