Margot cruises into cycle for Sea Dogs

It wasn't heaven or even Iowa. But Hadlock Field was the stuff of Manuel Margot's dreams on Sunday afternoon.

After he emerged with his teammates through a makeshift cornfield on Field of Dreams/Fan Appreciation Day, the Red Sox's No. 3 prospect hit for the cycle and drove in a season-high five runs as Double-A Portland topped New Britain, 10-5.

"That's probably one of the bigger games for the Sea Dogs, so it was a packed crowd and so it was pretty special for it to happen [today]," Portland manager Billy McMillon said. "You never know when [a cycle] is happening, but I think everyone was aware of what was going on, and his last at-bat we're just hoping he could get a single."

Before he could put his name in the record books, Margot had trouble reaching first base. MLB.com's No. 27 overall prospectflied to right field in the first. An inning later, Margot slugged his second homer in as many games, this time a two-run blast to right off starter Harrison Musgrave (3-4).

"It was an opposite-field home run. He kind of let the ball get deep and he just drove it. Really nice swing, he didn't try to do too much, and it showed," McMillon said. "That ball just ... it was a nice controlled swing. The ball just kept going and going and going."

Margot kept going with an RBI double in the fourth and a run-scoring triple in the sixth, putting himself within a single of the cycle.

"He just went up there with the idea of having good at-bats, hitting the ball hard, and he had a good day," McMillon said. "He just let the ball get deep [in the sixth], hit it in the right-center gap and his speed took over. He drove that ball -- the right fielder [Tyler Massey] really didn't have a chance to get that ball and his speed really helped him get that triple there."

As Margot inched closer to history, McMillon said the dugout was like it is during a no-hit bid: "Everyone was aware of it, but I don't think anybody really talked about it." Margot wasn't guaranteed a plate appearance in the eighth but got the opportunity after Keury De La Cruz and Danny Bethea doubled and Forrestt Allday singled.

The 20-year-old from the Dominican Republic laced a 1-0 pitch from Kraig Sitton to the gap in right-center for a loud single.

"It's a single, it stays a single," McMillon said. "We still had another inning to go, so [the celebration] was muted, but guys acknowledged it and he was happy, so it was a really good feeling for him. … I think that was only the fourth one in Portland history, so I'm sure he's going to sleep well tonight."

The cycle produced Margot's second career four-hit game and first five-RBI game since plating six runs in 2012 in the Rookie-level Dominican Summer League. It was the Sea Dogs' first-ever cycle at Hadlock Field and their second of the season, with Tim Roberson accomplishing the feat against New Britain on May 16.

Margot has been in a groove, going 9-for-14 with two homers and eight RBIs over his last three games, including a three-hit, three-RBI, three-steal game on Saturday.

"I think the approach has been pretty consistent. Things are going his way the last couple games, last couple weeks," McMillon said. "I think a lot of people that see him play know that he is capable of driving the ball and putting together quality at-bats, and it's nice to see the reward of his work in the cages and in the fields paid off today."

Bethea went 3-for-4 with a pair of doubles, an RBI and three runs scored, while De La Cruz contributed two hits and two RBIs for the Sea Dogs. Reliever Kyle Kaminska (1-0) allowed one hit and struck out two over 3 1/3 scoreless innings for the win.