PHOENIX – J.J. Bleday broke out of an August slump with authority on Saturday.
Bleday hit for the cycle against the Diamondbacks, the 12th cycle in Reds history, and the first since Elly De La Cruz on June 23, 2023, against the Braves. He completed the feat with a leadoff homer in the sixth inning that traveled 370 feet, according to Statcast. The 28-year old doubled in the first inning, tripled in the third, and singled in the fifth before his sixth-inning blast.
Bleday recorded four hits in a game for the first time this season, and Saturday was his first multi-hit output since going 3-for-4 against the Cardinals in the second game of a doubleheader on Aug. 17. He had recorded just two RBIs in August heading into the game, but matched that total by the third inning of Saturday’s game.
Bleday has appeared in 506 career games over five seasons with the Marlins, Athletics and Reds. He appeared in his 100th career game with Cincinnati on Aug. 20.