Carson Kelly Reacts to Being 1st Cubs Player to Hit for Cycle in 32 Years in MLB

It's not exactly on the same level as their 108-year World Series drought, but Carson Kelly finally ended the Chicago Cubs' long wait to have a player hit for the cycle.

Kelly was one of many Cubs who took to the Athletics' first home game in Sacramento, hitting for the cycle as part of a 4-of-4 night at the plate in Monday's 18-3 victory.

Speaking to reporters after the game, Kelly noted he didn't feel great about his chances to complete the cycle when he came to the plate in the eighth inning needing a triple:

"I've been in this same position before where I needed a triple for the cycle. If anybody's ever looked up my numbers, I have two triples, so odds are not in my favor, right? I didn't get it done the first time. This time I'm like, oh, I'm just going to put a good at-bat together. Hit it, like, 'Oh yeah, pretty good.' Then I hit first and saw it ricochet and I was like, 'Oh boy, this is it right here, I got to go.' That's probably the fastest you'll ever see me run."

Kelly reached base in all six of his plate appearances (two walks) and drove in five runs from the ninth spot in the batting order.

The Cubs have had 12 players hit for the cycle in their franchise history, but Kelly is the first to do it since Mark Grace in May 1993. It was the longest active drought by an NL club.

Kelly, 30, was born 13 months after Grace's cycle. He signed a two-year, $10 million contract with the Cubs as a free agent in December.

It's been an inconsistent start to the season for the Cubs. They have alternated wins and losses in their last five games after being swept in a two-game series against the Los Angeles Dodgers in Tokyo from March 18-19.

After a bullpen meltdown cost them a win on Sunday against the Arizona Diamondbacks, the Cubs put together a strong all-around performance in the series opener against the A's.

The Cubs will look to win back-to-back games for the first time this season on Tuesday when they send Jameson Taillon to the mound against Jeffrey Springs and the Athletics.