It’s been a busy week in the life of Jake Cronenworth. Three nights after making his first MLB All-Star appearance (A’s hurler Chris Bassitt walked him in his lone plate appearance Tuesday at Coors Field), the Padres second baseman had the game of his life, hitting for the cycle Friday night in D.C. Cronenworth, who finished runner-up to Milwaukee’s Devin Williams in 2020 Rookie of the Year voting, was responsible for four of San Diego’s 22 hits as the Padres hung a 24-spot on Washington, a club record and the most runs yielded by the Nationals in over 50 years of existence (that includes their stint as the Montreal Expos from 1969-2004).
The cycle was the first of Cronenworth’s career and the third ever by a Padre with Wil Myers the last to pull it off in 2017. Speaking of Myers, the right-fielder had his fingerprints all over Friday night’s win, contributing two homers (including a majestic, second-inning grand slam off Nats veteran Paolo Espino) while erupting for a career-high seven RBI as the Padres—currently in possession of the National League’s second Wild Card spot—started their second half with a bang.
Cronenworth’s cycle was the second we’ve seen in MLB this year, matching the feat accomplished by Nationals All-Star Trea Turner on June 30th. Ironically enough, Turner, a former first-round pick of the Padres, was on the field, playing close to the bag at second base when Cronenworth’s swinging bunt trickled in for an infield single in the sixth inning, completing the 332nd cycle in major-league history (Padres play-by-play announcer Don Orsillo crushed the call, as usual).
Friday’s offensive explosion in the nation’s capital should serve as a stark reminder of just how dominant the Friars (whose five All-Star representatives in Denver were the most of any National League team) can be when firing on all cylinders. Meanwhile, the Nationals, losers of five straight and 10 of their last 12, have arrived at a difficult crossroads, needing to assess their chances in the NL East. If Washington decides the playoffs are out of reach (they’re six games out in the division and 10 in the Wild Card), the Nats could choose to unload stars Max Scherzer and Kyle Schwarber at the upcoming trade deadline, scheduled for July 30th at 4 PM ET.
LISTEN on the Audacy App
Sign Up and Follow Audacy Sports
Facebook | Twitter | Instagram