Jun 13, 2019; St. Petersburg, FL, USA; Los Angeles Angels designated hitter Shohei Ohtani (17) is congratulated by third base coach Mike Gallego (86) on his three run home run during the first inning against the Tampa Bay Rays at Tropicana Field. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports

Two-way star Shohei Ohtani isn’t able to pitch in 2019 after having Tommy John Surgery, but he’s still playing as a position player and making a big impact at the plate for the Los Angeles Angels. That was particularly the case on Thursday night, when Ohtani hit for the cycle against the Tampa Bay Rays at Tropicana Field.

In the top of the seventh, Ohtani came to the plate needing the easiest part of the cycle- a single. And he came through with this single to right-center field:

He got it started with a three-run oppo taco in the first inning:

Ohtani is the first Japanese-born player to hit for the cycle in MLB history. And he’s the first Angels player to hit for the cycle since Mike Trout did so in 2013.

On the season, Ohtani has a .280/.350/.512 slash line and 131 wRC+. He’s showing his rookie campaign wasn’t a fluke, and keeps proving anonymous scouts wrong.

About Matt Clapp

Matt is an editor at The Comeback. He attended Colorado State University, wishes he was Saved by the Bell's Zack Morris, and idolizes Larry David. And loves pizza and dogs because obviously.

He can be followed on Twitter at @Matt2Clapp (also @TheBlogfines for Cubs/MLB tweets and @DaBearNecess for Bears/NFL tweets), and can be reached by email at mclapp@thecomeback.com.