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John Jaso completes first-ever PNC Park cycle in dramatic fashion

With Jake Arrieta pitching for the Cubs on Wednesday night, many were probably anticipating a quiet night from the Pirates offense. Instead, Pittsburgh erupted for seven runs on 10 hits in five innings against the reigning National League Cy Young award winner, and the night culminated with John Jaso hitting for the first cycle in the history of PNC Park.

Jaso did most of his damage against Arrieta. He singled in the second inning for his first hit. He connected for a three-run homer in the fourth inning, which broke a tie. In the fifth inning, Jaso added an RBI double. Then, with all eyes focusing on him in the seventh, he delivered an RBI triple against Cubs’ reliever Pedro Strop.

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Talk about drama. The cycle-clinching triple was oozing with it.

Jaso hit a rocket over the head of Cubs’ center fielder Alberto Almora Jr., who had replaced Dexter Fowler an inning earlier. Once the ball hits, everyone immediately thought triple, but probably more realistically expected a double given that Jaso isn’t the fastest guy around. Then he caught a break as the ball short-hopped and hugged the wall. That gave Jaso an opening. Almora overshooting the cut off man is what sealed it. As the ball trickled in, Jaso glided into third base with his third triple of the season and the 12th of his eight-year career.

John Jaso rounds third after hitting a three run home run off Cubs starting pitcher Jake Arrieta. Jaso would hit for the cycle on Wednesday. (AP)
John Jaso rounds third after hitting a three run home run off Cubs starting pitcher Jake Arrieta. Jaso would hit for the cycle on Wednesday. (AP)

Of course, there was some question about the scoring given the wild throw, but that’s one of those situations where it’s a triple unless the evidence against it is overwhelming. There wasn’t enough evidence here to spoil the moment for Jaso.

As noted, Jaso’s cycle was the first ever at PNC Park, which opened for business in 2001. It’s also the first by a Pirate since May 26, 2004, when Daryle Ward did it on the road against the St. Louis Cardinals. It’s the third cycle in MLB this season, along with Atlanta’s Freddie Freeman and Cleveland’s Rajai Davis. So it looks like we’ll finish with more cycles than no-hitters this season.

Ironically, the lone no-hitter belongs to Jake Arrieta, who pitched one in Cincinnati in April.

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Mark Townsend is a writer for Big League Stew on Yahoo Sports. Have a tip? Email him at bigleaguestew@yahoo.com or follow him on Twitter!