Rangers-Orioles: Kinsler Hits for Cycle, Collects Six Hits in 19-6 Rangers Win

Texas Rangers second baseman Ian Kinsler has really come into his own the last couple of seasons. Batting lead-off atop one of the most potent lineups in all of baseball, Kinsler has flourished, compiling 183 hits, 113 runs scored, 50 doubles, 21 home runs and 28 stolen bases in just 130 games since the start of the 2008 season.

The kid is the real deal, a stud in fantasy baseball and in real life. It should come as no surprise that a player with Kinsler’s combination of power and speed would be capable of such a feat as a cycle in a game. But what Kinsler did Wednesday night was still nothing short of amazing.

Possibly channeling the spirit of No. 42 Jackie Robinson, Kinsler hit for the cycle, getting a triple—typically the hardest hit to get—in his fourth at-bat in the sixth inning.

He also had two more hits to become only the third player in major league history (Rondell White in 1995 and Bobby Veach in 1920 being the others) to go 6-for-6 and hit for the cycle in the same game. The Rangers stomped all over the Orioles, 19-6, due in no small part to Kinsler’s historic effort.

Nelson Cruz also homered for the Rangers, a grand slam in the fourth inning. Marlon Byrd finished second on the Rangers with five hits of his own. Jarrod Saltalamacchia was the only Ranger to finish without a hit or RBI.

Kris Benson pitched six innings for his first major league victory in over two years. Mark Hendrickson took the loss for the Blue Jays, allowing nine runs- only two earned- after a Brian Roberts throwing error sparked an eight-run fourth inning for Texas.

Highlights of this historic game on a historic day for baseball can be seen here: