Nationals' Trea Turner hits for historic cycle against Rays

June 30 (UPI) -- Washington Nationals shortstop Trea Turner celebrated his 28th birthday by hitting for the cycle against the Tampa Bay Rays on Wednesday at Nationals Park in Washington, D.C.

Turner completed the feat in the sixth inning, becoming the first player in MLB's modern era (since 1900) to hit for a cycle on his birthday, according to ESPN Stats & Information.

It is the third cycle of Turner's career, which is the most in franchise history. His third cycle also ties the big league record for most cycles in a career.

Turner joins Adrian Beltre, Babe Herman, Bob Meusel and John Reilly as the only players in league history to hit for three cycles.

The star infielder singled to right-center field in the bottom of the first inning to begin his cycle. He then doubled to left in the third before bashing a 400-foot home run to right-center in the fourth.

Turner, who also had two stolen bases and four runs scored in the Nationals' 15-6 win over the Rays, completed the cycle by tripling to deep right in the sixth inning. He exited the game in the seventh because of a jammed finger on his left hand.

It is the first cycle in Major League Baseball since Sept. 17, 2019, when Toronto Blue Jays second baseman Cavan Biggio accomplished the feat. There were none in the pandemic-shortened season last year.

Turner has a .318 batting average with 14 home runs, 38 RBIs and 18 stolen bases in 78 games this season.