Remembering Mets History (2004) Eric Valent Hits for the Cycle In a 10-2 Mets Win

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 Thursday July 29th, 2004: Art Howe's fourth place Mets (48-52) didn't have much going on in 1994, they would finish fourth that year at 71-91. 

The next year Howe would be replaced by Willie Randolph, 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).

Today the Mets left fielder, Eric Valent became the eighth Met to hit for the cycle. Through June 2022 eleven Mets have accomplished the feat in franchise history. 

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 & a .337 on base %. 

After 28 games with the Mets in 2005 he was granted, free agency got signed by the Padres but never played in the majors again.


In the 2nd inning, Ty Wigginton singled & Mike Cameron hit his 20th HR of the year putting the Mets up 2-0. Eric Valent then hit an infield single, that Nick Johnson couldn't handle at first base for his first hit of the day. 

David Wright doubled & Todd Zeile drew a walk, Mike Piazza then hit a two run single giving New York a 4-0 lead.

In the 3rd, Cameron hit his second HR of the day, #21 on his season, making it 5-0. Cameron would hit 30 HRs leading the team 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 day.

In the 5th, Cameron drew a walk off Sun Woo-Kim who was now pitching for Montreal. Next Eric Valent, added a two run HR, hitting a speaker in fair territory, adding to his big day, his third hit gave the Mets a 7-0 lead. It was his 6th HR of the year & now he needed the triple to complete the cycle. 

That came in the 7th inning, Ty Wigginton had led off with a base hit, after Cameron hit into a force play, Eric Valent tripled down the right field line. He now completed the cycle, had his fourth hit of the day & his third RBI n the game as well. He would score on David Wright's double making it 9-1 Mets.

Short time Mets lugger, Richard Hildago added his 17th HR to complete the ten run 10-2 Mets win.

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