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Orioles SS Jonathan Villar unknowingly hits for cycle

By Alex Butler
Baltimore Orioles shortstop Jonathan Villar is hitting .267 and is tied for his career-high with three triples this season. File Photo by David Tulis/UPI
Baltimore Orioles shortstop Jonathan Villar is hitting .267 and is tied for his career-high with three triples this season. File Photo by David Tulis/UPI | License Photo

Aug. 6 (UPI) -- Baltimore Orioles shortstop Jonathan Villar hit for the cycle against the New York Yankees, but had to be notified of his achievement by his team's first base coach.

Villar hit the single, double, triple and home run during the Orioles' 9-6 loss to the Yankees Monday at Oriole Park at Camden Yards in Baltimore. He went 4-for-5 with two RBIs, two runs scored and a strikeout out of the leadoff spot.

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"When I hit a base hit, the coach at first base told me 'congratulations you hit a cycle.' Right there I knew I hit a cycle," Villar told reporters.

The Orioles infielder struck out in his first at-bat, before returning to the plate in the third inning. He smacked a Masahiro Tanaka slider to center field for a triple.

Villar returned to the plate in the fifth frame and delivered a double off a 1-1 Tanaka splitter in his third at-bat of the game.

He hit his 15th home run of the season in the next inning off Yankees reliever Tommy Kahnle. The two-run shot traveled an estimated 415 feet and had an exit velocity of 107 mph, according to Statcast.

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Villar completed the rare feat in the ninth inning when he smacked a 99.5 mph Aroldis Chapman fastball for a line drive single to right field.

Orioles first base coach Arnie Beyeler congratulated Villar at first base, but Villar had no idea he had hit for the cycle.

"It's unbelievable," Villar said. "I don't pay attention to that, and nobody said anything."

Villar is hitting .267 with 15 home runs and 51 RBIs on the season. The Orioles host the Yankees at 7:05 p.m. EDT on Tuesday in Baltimore.

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