Arenado rides cycle into history

Game-winning HR completes a sweep

DENVER —With one dramatic swing, Nolan Arenado gave the Colorado Rockies a thrilling victory and finished off his rare feat at the plate.

Arenado completed the cycle with a three-run homer in the bottom of the ninth inning, and the Rockies stunned the San Francisco Giants by rallying for a 7-5 win Sunday.

Arenado hit the first pitch he saw from All-Star closer Mark Melancon (1-2) into the left-field seats to cap a four-game sweep.

“It’s probably one of the best moments in my career,” Arenado said. “I’ve hit some big homers but by far the best, obviously, for the cycle. I’ve never done it. I feel like I’ve been kind of close but I’ve always needed a triple and I ain’t getting that. Today is a great day.”

Arenado became the 31st player in major league history to complete the cycle by hitting a game-ending home run. The last to accomplish it was teammate Carlos Gonzalez, who did it on July 31, 2010, against the Chicago Cubs, according to the Elias Sports Bureau.

“I remember watching Carlos do that,” Arenado said. “Now I know how he feels.”

With the best record in the National League, the surprising Rockies (46-26) have won five straight overall and nine in a row against the Giants. They are 20 games above .500 for the first time since 2009.

“The fans and the people of Denver are starting to get a hint that we’re for real,” Arenado said.