Houston Astros star Yordan Alvarez John Froschauer-USA TODAY Sports

Watch: Astros slugger Yordan Alvarez hits for the cycle

By Adam Gretz | Last updated Jul 21, 2024 7:24 PM ET

The Houston Astros dropped a big game in the American League West race on Sunday, losing 6-4 to the Seattle Mariners to drop them into a tie for the top spot in the division.

There was, however, some good news to come out of that game for club.

Astros star slugger Yordan Alvarez hit for his first career cycle in the game, connecting for a single, double, triple and home run in the loss.

Alvarez completed the cycle in the top of the eighth inning when he doubled down the right field line.

YORDAN ALVAREZ HAS JUST HIT FOR THE CYCLE!!!! pic.twitter.com/Pgo8CoNMzn
— Houston Astros (@astros) July 21, 2024

Along with his double, Alvarez hit his single in the first inning, his home run in the fourth inning and his triple in the sixth inning.

His home run was an absolute moon shot off the facade of the upper deck in right field.

Yordan Alvarez LAUNCHES one to the upper deck! pic.twitter.com/DszXSS74uE
— Sportsnet (@Sportsnet) July 21, 2024

The triple is always the most difficult hit for most hitters to get in the cycle and that is especially true for Alvarez who simply does not hit many of them. His sixth-inning triple on Sunday was only the sixth of his career.

Alvarez's was the 346th cycle in Major League Baseball history and the second of the 2024 season. Texas Rangers rookie Wyatt Langford hit for one earlier this season. Alvarez is also the second Astros player to hit for the cycle over the past two years. Jose Altuve hit for it in August of this past season.

Adam Gretz

Adam Gretz is a freelance writer based in Pittsburgh. He covers the NHL, NFL, MLB and NBA. Baseball is his favorite sport -- he is nearly halfway through his goal of seeing a game in every MLB ballpark. Catch him on Twitter @AGretz

More must-reads: