Bengie Molina hits grand slam & gets the cycle

--More on Molina from baseball-reference.

Rangers newly aquired catcher Bengie Molina hit for the cycle Friday night in Boston, hitting a single, double, triple, and a grand slam (only the eighth player in MLB history to hit a GS home run while completing a cycle, and the first catcher to do it since 1900). Molina's fifth inning 4-run home run and eighth inning triple powered Texas to an 8-4 win, and according to MLB.com it was the team's second win in eight games with Bengie behind the dish. From that article:

Molina became the fifth Rangers player in that exclusive club, when his four hits included both the fifth grand slam and sixth triple of his career...

Also from MLB.com, here's a list of the other seven players to also hit grand slams home runs during a cycle:

• Nap Lajoie -- Philadelphia A's -- July 30, 1901
• Bill Terry -- New York Giants -- May 29, 1928
• Tony Lazzeri -- New York Yankees -- June 3, 1932
• Jimmie Foxx -- Philadelphia A's -- August 14, 1933
• Jay Buhner -- Seattle Mariners -- June 23, 1993
• Miguel Tejada -- Oakland A's -- September 29, 2001
• Jason Kubel -- Twins -- April 17, 2009

Reds Rant:

--Edinson Volquez will debut tonight in his first MLB start of 2010 since having Tommy John surgery. Reds face the Rockies at home at 7:30 p.m. Rolen is out of the lineup due to the flu. All this from John Fay's Reds Blog.

--This according to MLB Pro Blog 'Better Off Red';

In 5 relief appearances beginning 7/2, Louisville's Aroldis Chapman allowed 2 runs on 3 hits and struck out 10 batters (6 walks)...in 8 relief appearances overall, he's 1-1 with a 5.06 ERA (10.2ip, 6er).

"His role has changed. The handcuffs have been taken off my hands. Before I was restricted on what I could and could not do with him... I will use him now in any situation I dictate that will make us a better baseball team. He's happy with that." -Bats Manager Rick Sweet on Aroldis Chapman (Louisville Courier-Journal)

Also check out Better Off Red for some excellent photos of the Reds first contest of the second half, 1990 World Series celebration, and MC Hammer concert pictures!

***CHRIS SABO BOBBLEHEAD GIVEAWAY TONIGHT!!!! First 30,000 fans get one of these babies, photo from omgreds.com.