Weston Wilson Became The First Philadelphia Phillies Rookie To Hit For The Cycle…

On August 16, Weston Wilson began his game with a strikeout but later made history as the first rookie for the Philadelphia Phillies to hit for the cycle during a rout of the Washington Nationals in Philadelphia. Wilson wrapped up the cycle with a double in the eighth inning of the 13-3 victory at Citizens Bank Park.

Wilson told reporters, as noted by MLB.com, “I believe it’s a reflection of perseverance and sticking with it. It hasn’t been easy, especially since last year was my first game against them. To experience both that moment and this one is really special.”

Wilson, 29, went 4 for 5 with three runs scored and an RBI. His season batting average jumped from .273 to .342 following his single-double-triple-home run performance. He has had just 38 at-bats over 16 games.

Phillies third baseman Alec Bohm kicked off the scoring with a three-run homer in the bottom of the first inning. Right fielder Nick Castellanos followed with another home run for the Phillies just two pitches later.

Wilson began his pursuit of the cycle by leading off the bottom of the fourth with a triple. He then scored when center fielder Johan Rojas followed with an RBI single in the next at-bat.

Phillies shortstop Trea Turner and Castellanos added RBI singles to extend the lead to 9-0. Wilson then singled three at-bats later after Castellanos’ hit.

In the top of the fifth, Nationals catcher Keibert Ruiz hit a solo home run for the team’s first run. Center fielder Jacob Young scored on a groundout in the sixth, making it 9-2.

Ruiz hit another solo home run in the seventh for the Nationals’ last run.

Wilson connected for his home run in the bottom of the seventh—a 371-foot shot to center field that registered 100.8 mph off his bat, according to Statcast. Later in the same inning, Phillies first baseman Bryce Harper reached base on a fielding error, adding another run.

In his final at-bat in the eighth, Wilson hit a line drive double to center field, completing the 10th cycle in Phillies history. Rojas then drove in the final two runs with an RBI single in the following at-bat.

Turner went 3 for 5, scoring twice and driving in two runs for the Phillies. Harper and Rojas each had two hits. Phillies starter Zack Wheeler gave up three hits and two runs in six innings, improving his record to 12-5 for the season.