Bleday Makes History: Cycle in Just 4 At-Bats!
JJ Bleday Hits for the Cycle: A Rare Baseball Feat Explained Simply
What Happened on Saturday Night?
Imagine going to a baseball game and getting four different types of hits in a single game. That’s exactly what Cincinnati Reds left fielder JJ Bleday did on August 22, 2026, against the Arizona Diamondbacks. The Reds won 11-5, and Bleday was the star of the show.
IMPORTANT POINT: Hitting for the cycle means getting a single, double, triple, and home run all in one game. It’s one of the rarest and coolest achievements in baseball!
How Bleday Completed the Cycle
Bleday didn’t get the hits in order, but he got them all! Here’s how it happened:
- 1st Inning → Double (off starter Michael Soroka)
- 3rd Inning → Triple (off Michael Soroka)
- 4th Inning → Single (off reliever Zack Littell)
- 6th Inning → Home Run (off Zack Littell, first pitch!)
FUN FACT: Bleday knew he needed a home run to complete the cycle before that last at-bat. He stayed calm, stuck to his normal approach, and crushed a line drive to right field on the very first pitch!
Why This Was a Big Deal for Bleday
- He was struggling — Before this game, Bleday was hitting only .217 (that means he got a hit about 2 times out of every 10 at-bats).
- Bad game the night before — He struck out three times in Friday’s 9-0 loss.
- High expectations — He was the #4 overall pick in the 2019 draft, but it took years to find his groove.
- New career high — That home run was his 21st of the season, beating his previous best of 20 (set last year with the Athletics).
IMPORTANT POINT: Bleday said, "Things haven’t been going that well for me as of late, so I’m just trying to persevere. This organization has really welcomed me and my family, and they’ve been giving me opportunities."
How Rare Is a Cycle? (Reds History)
Since the franchise began in 1883, there have only been 11 cycles total. Here are the Reds players who’ve done it in the last 100 years:
| Player | Year |
|---|---|
| JJ Bleday | 2026 |
| Elly De La Cruz | 2023 |
| Eric Davis | 1989 |
| Frank Robinson | 1959 |
| Harry Craft | 1940 |
FUN FACT: Elly De La Cruz (who hit for the cycle in 2023) was also playing Saturday! He went 4-for-6 and was a triple away from his second cycle. If he’d gotten it, it would’ve been the first "twin cycle" game in MLB history — two teammates both hitting for the cycle in the same game!
Other Cycles in MLB This Year (2026)
Bleday’s cycle was the fourth in the majors this season:
- Pete Crow-Armstrong — Chicago Cubs
- Bryce Harper — Philadelphia Phillies
- Tristan Peters — Chicago White Sox (July 10)
- JJ Bleday — Cincinnati Reds (August 22)
By the Numbers: Saturday’s Game
- Final Score: Reds 11, Diamondbacks 5
- Bleday: 4-for-6, 1 double, 1 triple, 1 single, 1 HR, 21st HR of season
- De La Cruz: 4-for-6 (single, double, two singles? — just missing the triple)
- Team Hits: 16 total — Bleday and De La Cruz combined for 8 of them (half!)
- Pitchers Faced: Michael Soroka (starter), Zack Littell (reliever)
Summary
JJ Bleday had a magical night on August 22, 2026. After struggling at the plate, he came out and did something only 10 other Reds players have done in 143 years: hit for the cycle. He got a double, triple, single, and home run — all in one game — helping Cincinnati crush Arizona 11-5. His teammate Elly De La Cruz almost joined him, making it a historic night for Reds baseball. For Bleday, it was a breakthrough moment that showed perseverance pays off.
FAQ: Your Questions Answered
What exactly is "hitting for the cycle"?
A: It means a batter gets all four types of base hits in a single game: a single (1 base), double (2 bases), triple (3 bases), and a home run (4 bases / scores a run). They don’t have to happen in that order!
How rare is a cycle in baseball?
A: Very rare! There have only been 11 in Reds history since 1883, and only 4 in all of MLB during the 2026 season (as of August 22). It happens maybe a few times a year across the entire league.
What’s a "twin cycle" and has it ever happened?
A: A "twin cycle" would be two teammates both hitting for the cycle in the same game. It has never happened in MLB history. Elly De La Cruz was one triple away from making history with Bleday on Saturday!
Why was this cycle especially meaningful for JJ Bleday?
A: Bleday was the #4 overall pick in 2019 but had struggled to live up to expectations. He entered the game hitting just .217 and had struck out 3 times the night before. This game showed he’s turning a corner — and the home run gave him a new career high of 21 HRs in a season.
Who were the pitchers Bleday faced?
A: His first two hits (double, triple) came off starter Michael Soroka. His last two hits (single, home run) came off reliever Zack Littell. The home run came on the first pitch of the at-bat in the 6th inning!