JJ Bleday Hits for Cycle in First Four At-Bats as Reds Defeat Diamondbacks 11-5

JJ Bleday completed the 11th cycle in Cincinnati Reds history during an 11-5 win over the Arizona Diamondbacks on Saturday night.

JJ Bleday hit for the cycle in his first four at-bats on Saturday night to lead the Cincinnati Reds to an 11-5 victory over the Arizona Diamondbacks at Chase Field. The 28-year-old outfielder secured the milestone by launching a line-drive home run to right field on the very first pitch of the sixth inning. This performance followed a Friday night contest where Bleday struck out three times during a 9-0 shutout loss. Entering Saturday with a .217 batting average, the former No. 4 overall pick in the 2019 draft collected four hits in six total plate appearances to help Cincinnati amass 16 hits as a team.

Bleday began his historic night by hitting a double in the first inning against Arizona starter Michael Soroka. He followed that with a triple in the third inning, also off Soroka, before recording a single in the fourth inning against reliever Zack Littell. The sixth-inning blast marked his 21st home run of the season, surpassing his previous career high of 20 set with the Athletics in 2024. Manager Terry Francona noted the significance of the achievement, stating that it was special to enjoy such a moment while holding a lead.

Historical Context for the Cincinnati Reds

According to ESPN Research, this performance represents the 11th cycle in franchise history, a record dating back to 1883. Bleday is the first Cincinnati player to achieve the feat since Elly De La Cruz did so against Atlanta on June 23, 2023. Within the last century of Reds baseball, only four other players have accomplished this: De La Cruz, Eric Davis in 1989, Frank Robinson in 1959, and Harry Craft in 1940. De La Cruz himself had a productive Saturday, finishing 4-for-6 but falling just a triple short of recording the first twin cycle game in Major League Baseball history.

2026 MLB Cycle Leaders

Bleday's achievement is the fourth cycle recorded in the majors this year. He joins Pete Crow-Armstrong of the Chicago Cubs, Bryce Harper of the Philadelphia Phillies, and Tristan Peters of the Chicago White Sox, who most recently completed a cycle on July 10. The Reds outfielder mentioned that he focused on maintaining the same approach from his first three at-bats when he stepped in for the fourth, aiming to put a good swing on the ball to complete the set of hits.

Career Milestones and Team Impact

Reflecting on his recent struggles, Bleday acknowledged that things had not been going well lately but expressed gratitude for the opportunities provided by the Cincinnati organization. The left fielder emphasized the importance of perseverance as he continues to gain traction in the big leagues. Together, Bleday and De La Cruz accounted for eight of the team's 16 hits on Saturday. The offensive outburst allowed the Reds to build an early lead and maintain pressure throughout the game in Phoenix. The victory follows a stretch where Bleday has sought to find his rhythm after being selected early in the 2019 draft.