Trea Turner celebrates 28th birthday with a third-career batsman against the Rays. (1:51).WASHINGTON -- Trea Turner thought three bags from the moment he touched it. Everyone else at the ballpark did too.Turner's third career record-breaking cycle was completed by hitting a sixth-inning triple on Wednesday for the Washington Nationals. He did this on his 28th Birthday, before leaving the game with a finger injury. The feat was achieved in a 15-6 win over the Tampa Bay Rays.According to Elias Sports Bureau, the speedy shortstop was the fifth major league player with three cycles. He joins Babe Herman and Bob Meusel, as well as John Reilly.Turner stated that he was thinking "triple out of the box" about his previous hit. He drove it to the right-field wall. "And just hoping that he doesn’t pick it right away and get in before I usually make a decision."The crowd waited eagerly for Turner's fourth hit of today as it sailed down the line.The Rays were ready. Manuel Margot hit Mike Brosseau, the cutoff man. The relay of the second baseman was true.Yandy Diaz was beaten by Turner's headfirst slide, but Turner came in close.Dave Martinez, Nationals manager, said that everyone was rising up in his dugout. "They all wanted to be on the field. When he was safe, there was loud cheering. I love watching him run." He is a joy to watch run."Turner joins an exclusive club that is both old-fashioned and exclusive. Beltre is the only one who has three cycles. The others have them since the mid-1930s.Turner stated, "I don't think it's luck. It's tools to be in a position to hit for speed and power." "I can remember Adrian Beltre doing it a while back, and I thought it was quite interesting that he tied for third with three. Because you don’t see him as a speed man."Turner scored the first Tampa Bay opener Drew Rasmussen (0-1), and then doubled in his third against Ryan Sherriff (0-1). Turner then hit his 14th homer in fourth against Michael Wacha.Ryan Zimmerman was the pinch-hitter for Turner in seventh. Washington manager Dave Martinez stated that Turner injured his left little finger. He is now day-to-day. Martinez stated that Juan Soto, outfielder, also cramped up but wasn't too concerned.He said, "Hopefully, tomorrow everyone is good to go."Martinez was more interested in discussing Turner's efforts.Martinez spoke highly of Turner, saying that it was a testimony to Turner's ability to hit the ball with power. "When he's good, there's no telling what he can do with the ball. He hits the ball with power."The Nationals' current offense was the other. Starlin Castro scored his third homer and singled to score four. Josh Bell had three RBIs, and Soto had three hits.Jordy Mercer added his first homer for the Nationals. They pounded out 18 hits, and have scored 24 runs since June 19.Washington scored four points in the third, three more in sixth, and four more eighth.Jon Lester (2-3), allowed five runs on seven hit over five innings. He struck out three and walked two.Mike Zunino scored his 18th and fourth home runs in five of his last five games for Tampa Bay. Diaz also added his third home run for the Rays who have lost eight consecutive road games.Cash expressed his happiness for Zunino, a catcher who is currently batting.210 and has 36 RBIs. "I would like to see him on that All-Star roster. He has played like an All-Star to us."Sherriff allowed four runs, and only two batters were retired after he entered to start the third. He was also recalled from Triple A Durham.This report was contributed by The Associated Press.
