PHOENIX – JJ Bleday achieved a remarkable milestone on August 22, 2026, hitting for the first career MLB cycling in the Cincinnati Reds' 11-5 victory over the Arizona Diamondbacks. Bleday became the eighth player in Reds history to accomplish this feat, joining the ranks of Elly De La Cruz, who last hit for the cycling on June 23, 2023.
Key facts
- Bleday completed the cycling with a home run in the sixth inning.
- He finished the game 4-for-6 with three RBIs and two runs scored.
- Elly De La Cruz was a triple shy of hitting for the cycling, also going 4-for-6.
- This was the fourth cycling recorded in the MLB this season.
Why it matters: Hitting for the cycling is a rare accomplishment in baseball, highlighting a player's versatility and skill. Bleday's achievement marks a personal triumph and revitalizes the Reds' season, snapping their two-game losing streak.
- The cycling is the eighth in Reds franchise history, dating back to 1890.
- Bleday's performance comes during a season where he has battled inconsistencies, making this moment even more poignant.
- His success reflects positively on the Reds’ decision to retain him at the trade deadline.
Driving the news: Bleday began the game strong, doubling in the first inning and tripling in the third, setting the stage for his historic night. He capped his performance with a 370-foot home run in the sixth inning, solidifying his place in MLB history.
- His home run came on the first pitch from reliever Zack Littell, a 90.2 mph fastball.
- Bleday's previous struggles included a .217 batting average and three strikeouts in the previous game.
- With this performance, he surpassed his previous career high of 20 home runs, achieving his 21st of the season.
State of play: Bleday's achievement overshadowed a challenging outing for Diamondbacks starter Michael Soroka, who allowed six runs in just 3.1 innings. The Reds’ offense exploded, accumulating a season-high 16 hits, including four home runs.
- Rhett Lowder earned the win, pitching six innings and allowing four runs (three earned).
- The Reds were aggressive at the plate, scoring in every inning except the second and ninth.
- Elly De La Cruz, who was a triple shy of his own cycling, contributed significantly with a solo home run and four hits.
The big picture: Bleday's cycling is a notable highlight in a season where the Reds have struggled with injuries and consistency. The performance boosts Bleday's confidence and serves as a rallying point for the team.
- The Reds' lineup showed depth, with contributions from rookie Héctor Rodríguez and Matt McLain, both adding to the offensive explosion.
- De La Cruz's near-cycling would have made history as the first time in MLB that two players from the same team hit for the cycling in a single game.
- The Reds have now hit four cycles in their franchise history since 2023, marking a resurgence in offensive production.
What they're saying: Bleday expressed his disbelief at achieving the cycling, stating, "It's crazy how things like that happen. Things haven't been going that well for me as of late, so it's just trying to persevere, show up and compete." De La Cruz added, "It's always cool seeing somebody hit for the cycling," acknowledging the significance of Bleday's accomplishment.
- Manager Terry Francona praised the team's consistency, saying, "We stayed consistent one through nine, and it was a good night."
- Bleday's teammate Rhett Lowder remarked, "That was insane. I’m super happy for him. He’s worked super hard, and it's cool to see it in person."
By the numbers: The Reds’ 11-5 win improved their record, and they now sit in a competitive position as they aim for a playoff spot.
- The Reds had 16 hits, with the top three in the lineup accounting for half of them.
- Bleday's performance included three RBIs, contributing significantly to the team's total.
- In addition to Bleday and De La Cruz, rookie Sal Stewart also had a notable game, driving in a run and extending his RBI lead.
What's next: The Reds will look to build on this momentum in their next game against the Diamondbacks. Cincinnati's Andrew Abbott is set to face Arizona's Mitch Bratt in the series finale.
- First pitch is scheduled for 1:15 p.m. MST, with the Reds aiming to continue their offensive surge.
- The Diamondbacks will need to regroup quickly after this loss, as they are still vying for a Wild Card spot.
- Manager Torey Lovullo emphasized the importance of bouncing back, stating, "You lose games at this point of the year, they hurt. But we can reverse that tomorrow."