Arizona’s Hill hits for cycle again

Aaron Hill hit for the cycle for the second time in 12 days in the Arizona Diamondbacks 9-3 victory over the Brewers at Milwaukee on Friday night.

The Arizona Diamondbacks’ second baseman also singled, doubled, tripled and homered on June 18 against Seattle.

Brooklyn’s Babe Herman is the only other major leaguer to hit for two cycles in one season since 1900, according to STATS LLC. He accomplished the feat in 1931.

On Friday night, Hill doubled for his 1,000th hit in the first, singled in the third and hit his 11th home run of the season, a two-run shot in the fourth. All those hits came off Milwaukee starter Randy Wolf (2-6). Hill tripled in the sixth inning off Livan Hernandez. His head-first slide into third easily beat the relay throw from the outfield.

Arizona’s Paul Goldschmidt came close to hitting for the cycle, too. He doubled, homered, singled and walked before a fan interfered with his hard grounder down the left-field line in the ninth. Goldschmidt more than likely would not have made third even without the spectator’s glove deflecting the ball.

Dodgers sign defector to big deal

The Los Angeles Dodgers signed Cuban outfielder Yasiel Puig to a seven-year, $42 million contract.

The Dodgers signed the 21-year-old to the biggest deal given to a Cuban defector. Puig is waiting for a visa in Mexico City.

The 6-foot-3 slugger has made numerous attempts to defect, and recently established residency in Mexico.

Clearing the bases

St. Louis Cardinals right-hander Chris Carpenter resumed a throwing program after recovering from a compressed nerve in his shoulder. But the Cardinals don’t know if he’ll be able to pitch this season. . Team doctors identified the injury as thoracic outlet syndrome, and general manager John Mozeliak said Carpenter could undergo surgery in the offseason that could sideline him as long as a year. … San Francisco purchased the contract of the right-hander Brad Penny, who is 119-99 heading into his 13th season. He signed a minor league contract May 18. He will be in the Giants’ bullpen.