JJ Bleday hits for cycle at Chase Field vs. Diamondbacks: How rare is that?

PHOENIX — Well, in a season during which several Arizona Diamondbacks players have searched for 2023 parallels, Cincinnati Reds outfielder JJ Bleday supplied a new one on Saturday.

With a home run in the sixth inning, Bleday completed the cycle in an 11-5 Reds win, the first cycle Arizona has surrendered since J.T. Realmuto of the Philadelphia Phillies during the 2023 season. It was also the first Reds cycle since 2023. All according to plan.

The Diamondbacks have allowed four cycles — when a player hits a single, double, triple and a home run in a single game — in franchise history (Mike Lansing in 2000 and Luke Scott in 2006). The last by a D-backs hitter came in 2012, when Aaron Hill hit two in June of that season.

The more pressing story for the 2026 Diamondbacks is that their starting rotation has gone through a rough turn, excluding for Eduardo Rodriguez’s winning effort on Friday.

Saturday’s loss also knocked the Diamondbacks (68-62) to two games behind the San Diego Padres for the third National League Wild Card spot with 32 games to play.

Diamondbacks’ pitching having a rough week

Michael Soroka struggled to find the strike zone on Saturday, and he failed to escape the fourth inning. His early innings were laborious, as Soroka only threw nine first-pitch strikes to 20 hitters and walked three. He ended with 84 pitches.

Long man Zack Littell did not stop the bleeding for his second straight outing, and the inherited runners he let in resulted in Soroka’s line ending at 3.1 innings and six earned runs. The D-backs trailed 6-0 after four innings.

“I’d say the fastball command just wasn’t where it needed to be, wasn’t where it has been all year,” Soroka said. “The breaking ball was moving well. Just couldn’t quite pull it in the zone at all times. I feel like when you’re not commanding your fastball, it doesn’t make them respect it as much. That’s why they were able to hold the trigger on a couple and work long counts and a couple of walks. It wasn’t good, but we’ll work through it and get it better for next time.”

Soroka has been sharp all year when healthy, and his ERA went up to a still-solid 3.40. This was also his third start back from the injured list.

But his struggles piled on after Mitch Bratt, Merrill Kelly and Brandon Pfaadt allowed a combined 14 runs in their three outings at Fenway Park.

Pfaadt had been amazing since returning to the rotation and still did a lot well in Boston, but he got bit by the long ball three times.

Soroka produced solid results in his first two games off the IL (10 IP, 2 ER). Bratt put forth his best two outings before a step back on Monday, when the rookie took the mound amid all the fallout of the Ketel Marte mystery. Of the group, Kelly has shown the most concerning trend with at least five runs allowed in three of his last four starts while he struggles to attack the strike zone.

The Diamondbacks harp on clean pitching and defense, but the recent execution on the mound has been inconsistent. Arizona allowed 24 runs over its previous seven games (3.4 per contest) before giving up 37 during the past five (including Friday’s shutout win).

Saturday’s loss puts Bratt in a high-stakes position, as every series is critical when the standings are so close.

The Diamondbacks may also have a decision to make about Littell, who allowed four earned runs on eight hits (three home runs) in 3.2 innings on Saturday. He has let in 10 earned runs over his last two appearances, and his latest performance contributed to the Reds keeping the Diamondbacks at arm’s length — along with Arizona’s 0-for-10 start with runners in scoring position (1-for-14 overall).

“I’m very well aware of when we’re thin and it doesn’t look great,” manager Torey Lovullo said. “I’m trying to get to a certain point where we’re going to have guys tomorrow that can help us win a game.”

Reds star Elly De La Cruz blasted a 450-foot home run off Littell, the third-farthest shot hit at Chase Field this season.

Diamondbacks’ offense stays competitive

The Diamondbacks do not usually lose with 10 or more hits (32-10 this season). The lack of success with runners in scoring position was obvious, and the lineup did a poor job of extending innings early when Soroka was grinding through.

Some misfortune was mixed in, as Corbin Carroll hit a 110 mph line drive caught for an out with a runner on second base.

Still, five runs should keep a team competitive.

Some notable performances:

• Nolan Arenado hit his first home run since suffering the intercostal strain last weekend. He has been playing through it as a designated hitter, but Lovullo said Arenado will be back at third base on Sunday.
• Tim Tawa also went deep during a 2-for-4 day, his third multi-hit effort over the past five games.
• Lars Nootbaar led off for the D-backs and delivered two hits after he homered on Wednesday in Boston. After a slow start to his Diamondbacks tenure, perhaps Nootbaar is trending upward. The Diamondbacks could use the help against right-handed pitching.
• Gabriel Moreno extended his hitting streak to 15 games with a double in the ninth inning. It is MLB’s longest active hitting streak.

Saturday attendance

36,405

Sunday starters

The Diamondbacks close their season series with the Reds on Sunday with Bratt (1-2, 4.17 ERA) on the mound.

The Reds will start left-hander Andrew Abbott (6-8, 4.07 ERA).

Lovullo said there will be roster moves before the rubber match.

“I know the timing of it stinks,” Lovullo said of the loss. “You lose games at this point of the year, they hurt. But we can reverse that tomorrow. We’ve got to come out and give it our absolute best.”

First pitch is at 1:15 p.m. MST. The broadcast will be on Peacock, while the radio call will remain on 98.7 and the Arizona Sports app. 

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