Light-hitting Figueroa goes for cycle

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Light-hitting Figueroa goes for cycle
08/24/2006 12:03 AM ET
By Marc Jimenez / Special to MLB.com

Danny Figueroa's first hit -- a grand slam -- might have been a sign that he was on his game. When Aberdeen's rout of Staten Island was over, Figueroa had hit for the cycle.
Figueroa belted a season-high four hits and six RBIs in the IronBirds' 17-6 thrashing of the visiting Yankees.
The 23-year-old outfielder's slam to left field highlighted an eight-run second inning. He doubled to center in the fourth, reached on an infield single in the sixth and slapped a two-run triple to left in the seventh to complete the feat.
Figueroa was batting just .200 heading into the game. He raised his average by 50 points by the time the night was over.
The IronBirds (32-29) pounded out 13 hits. Kieron Pope capped an eight-run second with a sacrifice fly and a five-run third with a run-scoring single. Pope, Miguel Abreu and David Cash each drove in two runs.
Aberdeen starter Pedro Beato allowed five runs -- two earned -- on seven hits, but lasted just four innings. Henry Lozado (3-1) scattered one hit in two innings for the win. Bob McCrory fanned six in the final three innings to notch his second save.
Jonathan Poterson went 2-for-3 with an RBI double in the third and a solo home run in the ninth for the Yankees (37-23).
Staten Island's James Conroy (0-2) was tagged with six runs on five hits over 1 1/3 innings. Edgar Omana surrendered seven runs -- five earned -- in 1 2/3 frames, and Kevin Smith picked up four more in the seventh.
Michael Hernandez hit for the last cycle in the Minor Leagues in a Class A Midwest League game July 25 vs. Peoria. It was Hernandez's second cycle of the season, he also accomplished the feat June 8 at Fort Wayne.
This story was not subject to the approval of the National Association of Professional Baseball Leagues or its clubs.