Rookie Ochoa Hits for Cycle in Mets’ Victory

The New York Mets have tried to temper enthusiasm for rookie Alex Ochoa, who keeps doing things that make it hard not to get excited.

In only his 22nd game in the majors, Ochoa became the first rookie to hit for the cycle since 1991, going five-for-five and hitting a go-ahead homer in the eighth inning Wednesday night that led the New York Mets past the Phillies, 10-6, at Philadelphia.

“I’ve never hit for the cycle,” said Ochoa, who drove in three runs and scored three times. “It feels real good.”

He singled in the second inning, tripled in the fourth and hit doubles in the sixth and ninth. He became the first rookie to reach the cycle since St. Louis’ Ray Lankford.

Ochoa, acquired last July from Baltimore in a deal for Bobby Bonilla, was promoted from triple-A Norfolk June 22. Known for his strong arm in right field, he is batting .390 since his recall.

Manager Dallas Green tried his best to remain level-headed about Ochoa’s performance.

“Alex is trying to make a name for himself,” Green said. “It’s one thing to get here. It’s another thing to take advantage of it. He’s done that.”

Butch Huskey also homered, tripled and singled for the Mets, who had 16 hits. He was pulled for a pinch-runner in the eighth, or he would have had a shot at the cycle as well.

Paul Byrd (1-1) was the winner and Doug Henry pitched two innings for his sixth save. Ken Ryan (2-3) lost.

Colorado 3, San Francisco 2--Ellis Burks’ two-run homer in the ninth inning off reliever Rod Beck gave the Rockies a victory over the Giants at San Francisco, breaking a five-game road losing streak.

With the Rockies trailing, 2-1, John Vander Wal singled with one out in the ninth, and Burks hit his 22nd homer. It was the fourth blown save of the season, and the third in his last four chances, for Beck (0-5).

Curtis Leskanic (5-3) got the win.

Atlanta 3, Montreal 1--Chipper Jones hit his second homer of the game, a two-run shot in the eighth inning that led Tom Glavine and the Braves at Montreal.

Glavine (9-5) pitched eight innings and yielded only two hits. He struck out eight, retired 20 of his final 23 batters and moved to 7-0 in eight starts against Montreal since 1992.

Mark Wohlers earned his 18th save.

Rookie Ugueth Urbina (4-2) got a no-decision, but struck out a career-high nine, including Fred McGriff three times. Tim Scott (2-3) was the loser.

Pittsburgh 3, Chicago 2--Denny Neagle, miffed at not making the NL All-Star team, pitched six-hit ball for eight innings and Al Martin and Jeff King hit consecutive homers, leading the Pirates at Pittsburgh.

Neagle, chosen for the All-Star game last year with the same 9-4 record he has now, gave up a first-inning run before limiting the Cubs to three hits in the next seven innings. Frank Castillo (2-11) is the NL leader in losses.

St. Louis 4, Cincinnati 0--Donovan Osborne pitched a four-hitter for his first career shutout, leading the Cardinals over the Reds at St. Louis.

Osborne (8-4) took a two-hitter into the ninth and won for the fifth time in six decisions.

Houston 4, Florida 3--Doug Drabek (4-6) took a shutout into the ninth inning at Houston and James Mouton had three hits as the Astros beat the Marlins, extending their winning streak to a season-high five.

Al Leiter (9-7) was the loser.

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A Rare Feat

A look at how the cycle rates with some other statistical feats in baseball:

No-hitters: 230

Hitting for cycle: 224

Perfect games: 14

Unassisted triple plays: 11

Four-homer games: 12

Homers, both sides of plate: 107

Batter struck out 5 times in game: 34

*

1996 CYCLES

* John Mabry, St. Louis

May 18 at Colorado

* John Valentin, Boston

June 7 vs. Chicago

* Alex Ochoa, New York Mets

July 3 vs. Philadelphia