Reds game today: Bleday hits for cycle in 11-5 win
In the Reds game today, JJ Bleday hit for the cycle in his first four at-bats as Cincinnati beat the Arizona Diamondbacks 11-5 at Chase Field. The left fielder doubled, tripled, singled, then homered on the first pitch of the sixth, completing a rare feat that sparks buzz across baseball.
Key Takeaways
- JJ Bleday completed the cycle in his first four plate appearances in Cincinnati's 11-5 win at Chase Field.
- It was the 11th cycle in Reds franchise history and the first since Elly De La Cruz in 2023.
- Bleday's sixth-inning homer was his 21st of the season, a new career high.
- De La Cruz also went 4-for-6 and missed only a triple for a twin-cycle game.
- The loss dropped Arizona to two games behind San Diego for the final NL Wild Card spot.
What happened in the Reds game today?
Bleday doubled in the first and tripled in the third off Arizona starter Michael Soroka, then singled in the fourth and lined a first-pitch home run to right off Zack Littell in the sixth. Both of his final two hits came against the reliever as Cincinnati built and protected an early lead.
The 28-year-old left fielder entered hitting .217 after striking out three times in Friday's 9-0 loss. He finished 4-for-6. For more sports and culture coverage in this lane, see our Future Tech & AI Wonders hub.
How rare was Bleday's cycle against the D-backs?
According to ESPN, it was the 11th cycle in Cincinnati history dating to 1883 and the first by a Red since De La Cruz on June 23, 2023, against Atlanta. Arizona Sports reported it was the first cycle the Diamondbacks had allowed since Philadelphia's J.T. Realmuto in 2023, and only the fourth surrendered in franchise history.
Three other major-league cycles had already been recorded in 2026: by Pete Crow-Armstrong, Bryce Harper, and Tristan Peters. De La Cruz also had four hits Saturday and lacked only the triple for what would have been the first twin-cycle game in MLB history.
Why does this Reds win matter beyond one night?
Bleday said he was trying to persevere after a rough stretch and praised how the organization has welcomed him and his family. The Cincinnati Enquirer noted he was a $1.4 million free-agent signing after being non-tendered by the Athletics, and that this was the first Reds cycle on the road since Heinie Groh in 1915.
Rookie Rhett Lowder worked six innings and allowed three earned runs, handing off a big lead. De La Cruz hit his 21st homer, Sal Stewart went 3-for-6, and Hector Rodriguez added his first career home run as the Reds piled up 16 hits. Arizona fell to 68-62, two games behind the Padres for the third NL Wild Card with 32 games left.