Remembering Mets History (2004) Eric Valent Hits for the Cycle
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Thursday July 29th, 2004: In 1994 Art Howe's Mets would finish fourth at 71-91.
The next year Art Howe would be replaced by Willie Randolph. In the off season the Mets would acquire Pedro Martinez & Carlos Beltran bringing in a new winning era.
In this get away day matinee at Stade Olympique in Montreal, the Mets played Frank Robinson's last place Expos (39-63). The Mets Al Leiter (6-3) took on the Expos Rocky Biddle (2-4).
In the top of the 2nd inning, Ty Wigginton singled to center field. Mike Cameron followed with his 20th HR of the year putting the Mets up 2-0.
Eric Valent then hit a ground ball toward first base; he beat Nick Johnson to first base reaching on a single.
David Wright doubled to left field, then after David Wright & Al Leiter were retired Todd Zeile drew a walk. Mike Piazza then hit a two-run single into center field giving New York a 4-0 lead.
In the top of the 3rd, Mike Cameron hit his second HR of the day, his 21st of his season, making it a 5-0 Mets lead.
Mike Cameron Trivia: For Cameron it was his second of the two multi-HR games of the season. Cameron would hit a team leading 30 HRs in his first season with the Mets.
Eric Valent followed Cameron's HR with a shot to left field that Termel Sledge dived for but couldn't come up with. Valent had a double for his second hit of the game.
In the top of the 5th, Cameron drew a walk off Sun Woo-Kim who was now pitching for Montreal.
Next Eric Valent, hit a high fly ball that hit a speaker on the roof in fair territory making it a ground rule HR. For Valent it was his 6th HR of the year & his third hit of the game giving the Mets a 7-0 lead.
In the top of the 7th inning, Ty Wigginton had led off with a base hit. Then Mike Cameron hit into a force play.
Eric Valent tripled down the right field line scoring Wigginton with the eighth Met run.
Hitting For the Cycle: Eric Valent became the eighth Mets player to hit for the cycle. He was the first Mets since Jon Olerud had hit for the cycle, seven years earlier. Two years later in 2006 Jose Reyes would be the next Met to hit for the cycle. Through June 2022 eleven Mets have accomplished the feat in franchise history.
Valent had his only multi-four hit game of his career. David Wright followed with a double scoring Valent with the ninth Mets run. In the 8th, short time Mets slugger, Richard Hildago added his 17th HR to complete the ten run 10-2 Mets win
Erics Valent Trivia: Valent spent two years with the Mets, seeing the most action in 2004 (130 games) he batted .267 with 13 HRs 15 doubles 34 RBIs 39 runs scored posting a .337 on base %.
In 2005, after 28 games he was granted free agency & signed with the San Diego Padres but never played in the majors again.
Eric Valent followed Cameron's HR with a shot to left field that Termel Sledge dived for but couldn't come up with. Valent had a double for his second hit of the game.