Cuddyer hits for cycle as Rockies sweep Reds

DENNIS GEORGATOS
Associated Press

DENVER (AP) — Michael Cuddyer returned from a long absence in a big way.

Reinstated from the disabled list earlier in the day, Cuddyer hit for the cycle, including a two-run double in Colorado’s five-run eighth inning, and the Rockies rallied again to beat the Cincinnati Reds 10-5 in Game 2 to complete a doubleheader sweep Sunday night.

Drew Stubbs finished off Colorado’s five-run ninth inning with a three-run homer off J.J. Hoover, sending the Rockies to a 10-9 victory in the first game.

Cuddyer, who missed 60 games with a left shoulder fracture, tripled in the first, homered in the fifth and singled in the seventh to become the seventh Rockies player to hit for the cycle and first since Carlos Gonzalez on July 31, 2010, against the Chicago Cubs.

“You don’t set out to hit for the cycle, that’s for sure,” Cuddyer said. “That’s why I went down there (in the minors) for so long, to feel comfortable on the baseball field again. You never want to feel foreign on the field. I knew it was going to take a week or so to get that feel back, and today was a good day.”

Adam Ottavino (1-4) picked up the win in relief and reliever Carlos Contreras (0-1), who allowed five runs in 1 1-3 innings, took the loss.

Ryan Ludwick had a two-run homer in the sixth off Yohan Flande to help the Reds take a 5-2 lead into the seventh. But the Rockies pulled even in their half of the seventh with the help of the Reds’ second error, which came with the bases loaded and one out after Colorado had pulled within two. Reds third baseman Ramon Santiago cleanly fielded Nolan Arenado’s hard RBI bouncer down the line and stepped on the bag for the force but his throw to first was wide and rolled onto the dirt track in foul territory, allowing two runners to cross the plate.

That set the stage for another big finish by the Rockies. After Brandon Barnes and Charlie Culberson each singled with one out in the eighth, Manny Parra relieved Contreras, and Josh Rutledge beat out an infield single to load the bases with two outs. Corey Dickerson, who earlier extended his hitting streak to 12 games, and Cuddyer followed with succesive two-run doubles.

“The first one got away from us and the second one got away from us,” Reds manager Bryan Price said. “I know runs can score here in a hurry. We really did everything we could with our bullpen to get to the place where he had a chance to win that first game. And that’s the one we should put away and we didn’t. We had a three-man bullpen for Game 2 and it didn’t work out.”

Cuddyer sent his drive down the third-base line and emphatically clapped his hands as he pulled into second base. It was his second career cycle. He also did it against Milwaukee on May 22, 2009, while with Minnesota.

“It’s good to see Cuddy out there and swinging like it’s midseason form,” Rockies manager Walt Weiss said. “Big night for Cuddy.”

In the first game, the Reds carried a 9-5 lead into the ninth, but All-Star closer Aroldis Chapman walked four straight batters before he was replaced by Hoover. Pinch-hitter Wilin Rosario then hit a sacrifice fly to trim Cincinnati’s lead to two.

After Charlie Blackmon flied out, Stubbs drove a 1-0 pitch from Hoover (1-9) into the seats in left-center for his 12th homer. It was Stubbs’ third career game-ending homer and first with the Rockies.

TRAINER’S ROOM:

Reds: 2B Brandon Phillips (torn left thumb ligament) continued his minor league rehab stint with Class A Dayton on Sunday at Bowling Green. Phillips began the assignment Friday at Triple-A Louisville, going 0 for 2 with a walk against Indianapolis.

UP NEXT:

Reds: RHP Mike Leake (9-11) is slated to pitch Monday’s series opener at St. Louis, where Cincinnati has gone 1-10 in its last 11 series.

Rockies: Following an off day, LHP Tyler Matzek (2-8) is slated to pitch Tuesday against RHP James Shields (11-6) in the first of a two-game interleague series against Kansas City.

GAME BALLS:

The first game was played with balls embossed with the No. 17 in recognition of Todd Helton, who wore that number during a stellar Colorado career and saw it retired during a pregame ceremony. He’s the first player in the team’s history to have his number retired.

NUGGETS:

Reds: Cincinnati was swept in a doubleheader for the first time in seven years. Pittsburgh was the last team to pull it off, on Aug. 28, 2007, by scores of 6-4 and 3-2.

Rockies: 3B Arenado, who won the Gold Glove as a rookie last season, registered three straight put-outs in the third inning of the nightcap, the final one coming on a leaping snow-cone catch of Ludwick’s liner.

Copyright 2014 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

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