Devers delivers the cycle

Rafael Devers of Arkansas went 5-for-5 and hit for the cycle on Friday night, the 2nd time in franchise history and the first in the DMBL since 2017.

Devers went 5-for-5 as the Golden Falcons beat San Francisco, 10-6, getting to a wild Tyler Glasnow (3-3), who lasted 6 innings but yielded 6 runs on 7 hits with 5 walks and 6 Ks.

Leading off the bottom of the 2nd, Devers reached on an infield single to short, and after a walk and fielder's choice, scored on a sacrifice fly by Austin Riley. He later singled in the 3rd after a two-run bomb by Anthony Rizzo broke a 2-2 tie.

Devers connected on a Glasnow fastball, driving it deep to right center for a solo homer leading off the 6th, to extend the lead to 5-3.

The toughest part of the cycle came in the 7th. Pete Fairbanks relieved Glasnow to start the inning, giving up a single to Christian Vazquez and then walking Franmil Reyes. Devers cleared the bases with a triple deep to right center, increasing the Golden Falcons lead to 8-3. A few more walks in the 7th by Fairbanks got the Experience bullpen up again, with Devin Williams coming on to strike out Vazquez to get out of the inning.

Devers was due up 2nd in the 8th and after Reyes struck out, he got his chance. With the crowd on its feet, the Arkansas 3B delivered, lining a double to right center to complete the cycle.

It's the first cycle in the DMBL since Yangervis Solarte did it in 2017 for San Francisco against El Paso. Arkansas becomes the third franchise to do it twice (along with San Francisco and with Blue Ridge). Scooter Gennett hit for the cycle with Arkansas in June 2015 versus Sardine City.

 Devers, who became the first ineligible prospect drafted first overall in 2018, raised his average to .261/.310/.487 with the 5-hit performance. He has 4 HR and 15 RBI on the season to go with 10 doubles and 2 triples.

With the win, Arkansas improved to 25-18, 4 games behind Tucson in the Aaron Division and staying ahead of San Francisco by 2 1/2 games.