PHILADELPHIA — Counting Nolan Arenado hitting for the cycle on Friday in a 5-3 loss to Philadelphia, three of the past five Cardinals cycles have come in losing causes.
John Mabry hit for the cycle in Coors Field in Denver on May 18, 1996, but the Cardinals lost that game 9-8. And then there was that game for the ages on June 23, 1984, when Chicago Cubs star Ryne Sandberg hit two game-tying homers off Bruce Suttter but the Cardinals’ center fielder also hit for the cycle that day.
Willie McGee, now a Cardinals coach, was that center fielder and he wasn’t altogether happy after a 12-11 loss in 11 innings, similar to Arenado’s feelings on Friday night.