The curse of David Bell is finally dead, thanks to JT Realmuto.
The Philadelphia Phillies catcher entered the record books Monday night by hitting for the cycle in an eventful game against the Arizona Diamondbacks that featured a comeback, an ejection and a home run that wasn’t.
Eventually, the Phillies fell to the Diamondbacks in excruciating fashion, 9-8.
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Realmuto hits for the cycle
The all-star catcher became the first Phillies player since David Bell in 2004 to hit for the cycle and only the 17th catcher in baseball history to accomplish the rarity.
He also joined Hall of Famer Lou Gehrig in a piece of baseball trivia, becoming only the second player in MLB history to homer in an All-Star game, hit an inside-the-park homer in the postseason and hit for the cycle, according to OptaStats.
Realmuto pulled off the feat by hitting a homer in the second inning, a triple in the third and a single in the fifth. After walking in the seventh, he lined a double off the left-center-field wall in the ninth inning.
As pulled into second base, he threw his arms up into the air, with two thumbs-up to his cheering teammates, who did ask the umpiring crew for the baseball.
Diamondbacks manager Torey Lovullo ejected, argues with JT
In the middle of the cycle, Realmuto got into a dust-up with Diamondbacks manager Torey Lovullo who was upset after outfielder Corbin Carroll was hit by a pitch for a second time in the game.
After Lovullo came out of the dugout to argue with home-plate umpire Vic Carapazza, Realmuto intervened on Phillies starter Matt Strahm’s behalf. Things got heated between Lovullo, Realmuto and Phillies manager Rob Thomson before the benches cleared.
Cooler heads eventually prevailed after Lovullo was ejected and warnings were issued.
The homerun that wasn’t
After losing a 5-1 lead, the Phillies battled back in the ninth when Realmuto scored on a hit by Bryson Stott to cut Arizona’s lead to one.
Philadelphia’s Kody Clemens pinch-hit and thought he had hit a two-run homer off Miguel Castro, cheering as he circled the bases after the ball curled into the Phillies’ bullpen. The umpires ruled it a foul ball, confirmed it upon review. Castro struck out Clemens on the next pitch to end the game.
Bob Nightengale, Associated Press contributed to this story
This article originally appeared on Delaware News Journal: Phillies JT Realmuto hits for the cycle, tussles with Torey Lovullo