Bleday Makes History: Cycle in First 4 At-Bats
Cincinnati Reds’ JJ Bleday Hits Rare "Cycle" in Big Win Over Diamondbacks
What Happened on Saturday Night?
Imagine you’re playing a game where you need to hit a ball and run around four bases. On Saturday, August 22, 2026, Cincinnati Reds left fielder JJ Bleday did something super special: he got four different kinds of hits in a single game. In baseball, this is called "hitting for the cycle" – and it’s really, really rare!
Here’s the order of his hits:
- First inning: A double (two bases)
- Third inning: A triple (three bases – the hardest one!)
- Fourth inning: A single (one base)
- Sixth inning: A home run (four bases, ball leaves the park!) on the very first pitch he saw.
The Reds won 11-5 against the Arizona Diamondbacks. Bleday went 4-for-6 (four hits in six tries), and his teammate Elly De La Cruz also went 4-for-6. Together, they got half of the team’s 16 total hits!
What Is "Hitting for the Cycle"?
Think of it like collecting a full set of trading cards in one game. To hit for the cycle, a batter must get all four of these hits in one game:
- Single – Reach 1st base safely.
- Double – Reach 2nd base safely.
- Triple – Reach 3rd base safely (very fast running needed!).
- Home Run – Hit the ball out of the park and jog all 4 bases.
Important Point: The order doesn’t matter, but getting the triple is usually the toughest part because it requires speed and the ball to land in just the right spot.
Bleday’s Journey: From Struggles to Stardom
This moment was extra sweet for Bleday because things hadn’t been going well lately.
- Draft Pedigree: He was the #4 overall pick in the 2019 draft (very high expectations!).
- Recent Slump: He struck out three times in Friday’s game (a 9-0 loss) and entered Saturday hitting only .217 (getting a hit about 21% of the time).
- Mindset: He said, "Things haven’t been going that well for me as of late, so I’m just trying to persevere."
- Gratitude: He thanked the Reds organization: "This organization has really welcomed me and my family, and they’ve been giving me opportunities."
- Career High: The home run was his 21st of the season, beating his previous best of 20 (set last year with the Athletics).
A Night for the History Books
Hitting for the cycle is rare. Here’s where Bleday fits in:
Cincinnati Reds Franchise History (Since 1883)
| Player | Date | Opponent |
|---|---|---|
| Harry Craft | 1940 | — |
| Frank Robinson | 1959 | — |
| Eric Davis | 1989 | — |
| Elly De La Cruz | June 23, 2023 | Atlanta Braves |
| JJ Bleday | Aug 22, 2026 | Arizona Diamondbacks |
Important Point: Bleday is only the 11th player in franchise history (dating back to 1883!) to do this. He’s the 5th in the last 100 years.
MLB This Season (2026)
Before Bleday, only three other players had hit for the cycle this year:
- Pete Crow-Armstrong (Chicago Cubs)
- Bryce Harper (Philadelphia Phillies)
- Tristan Peters (Chicago White Sox) – July 10
The "Twin Cycle" That Almost Was!
Bleday’s teammate, Elly De La Cruz (who hit a cycle himself in 2023), also had 4 hits Saturday. He was a triple away from hitting a second cycle in the same game! That would have been the first "twin cycle" in MLB history. De La Cruz said: "It’s always cool seeing someone hit for the cycle… that was pretty cool."
How the Game Played Out
The Pitchers Bleday Faced
- First two hits (Double, Triple): Off starter Michael Soroka.
- Last two hits (Single, Home Run): Off reliever Zack Littell.
The Crucial At-Bat (6th Inning)
Bleday knew he needed a home run for the cycle.
- His thought process: "I just thought, keep doing what I’ve been doing the first three at-bats, and I was able to put a good swing on it."
- The result: A line-drive home run to right field on the first pitch!
Summary
- JJ Bleday (Cincinnati Reds) hit for the cycle (Single, Double, Triple, Home Run in one game) on Aug 22, 2026 vs. Arizona Diamondbacks.
- Reds won 11-5; Bleday went 4-for-6 with a first-pitch HR in the 6th inning to complete it.
- It’s the 11th cycle in Reds history (since 1883) and 5th in last 100 years.
- Bleday (28, 2019 #4 pick) was slumping (.217 avg, 3 Ks night before) – a huge confidence booster.
- Teammate Elly De La Cruz (2023 cycle) also went 4-for-6, missing a twin cycle by a triple.
- Bleday’s HR was #21, a new career high.
FAQ
1. What exactly is "hitting for the cycle"?
It means a batter gets a single, double, triple, and home run all in the same game. It shows off all hitting skills: power, speed, and consistency.
2. How rare is a cycle?
Very rare! There have only been 11 in Cincinnati’s entire history (since 1883). In the whole MLB this season (2026), only 4 players (including Bleday) have done it before August 23rd.
3. Why was this a big deal for JJ Bleday specifically?
He was a top draft pick (#4 in 2019) but struggled to find consistent success. He entered the game in a bad slump (.217 average, 3 strikeouts the night before). This game proved he can still dominate.
4. Did anyone else play well?
Yes! Elly De La Cruz (Bleday’s teammate) also went 4-for-6. He was one triple short of hitting for the cycle himself – which would have made history as the first "twin cycle" game ever.
5. What does this mean for Bleday’s season?
His home run was his 21st, setting a new career high (beating 20 from last year). It’s a massive confidence boost for him and helps the Reds in the standings.