PHOENIX (AP) — JJ Bleday of the Cincinnati Reds hit for the cycle Saturday night in his first four at-bats against the Arizona Diamondbacks.
The Cincinnati left fielder doubled in the first inning, tripled in the third and singled in the fourth. He homered to right on the first pitch from Arizona’s Zack Littell in the sixth inning, giving the Reds an 8-2 lead.
It was the eighth cycle in franchise history dating to 1890. Bleday is the first Cincinnati player to hit for a cycle since Elly De La Cruz on June 23, 2023, against Atlanta.
There were three previous cycles in the majors this year — Pete Crow-Armstrong of the Cubs, the Phillies’ Bryce Harper and the most recent one, by Tristan Peters of the White Sox on July 10.
The home run was Bleday’s 21st of the season, topping his previous career high of 20 with the Athletics in 2024.
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Cincinnati Reds' Elly De La Cruz, center right, hugs JJ Bleday, after Bleday hit for the cycle during the sixth inning of a baseball game against the Arizona Diamondbacks, Saturday, Aug. 22, 2026, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Darryl Webb)
Cincinnati Reds' JJ Bleday, is all smiles after hitting a home run to complete hitting for the cycle during the sixth inning of a baseball game against the Arizona Diamondbacks, Saturday, Aug. 22, 2026, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Darryl Webb)
MIAMI (AP) — Josh Sargent and Derrick Etienne Jr. scored second-half goals three minutes apart and Toronto FC held on for a 2-1 victory over Inter Miami on Saturday night.
Neither team found the net until the rookie Sargent scored in the 59th minute to give Toronto the lead. Dániel Sallói and Etienne had assists on Sargent's fourth goal. Sallói's helper was his seventh and Etienne collected his third.
Etienne scored for the third this season — unassisted three minutes later for a two-goal lead that helped Toronto win in Miami for the first time
Lionel Messi cut it to 2-1 in the 82nd minute with his 14th goal this season and his 64th in 71 career appearances. Rodrigo De Paul and Maximiliano Falcón had assists.
Luka Gavran saved two shots for Toronto (5-7-9).
Dayne St. Clair finished without a save for Inter Miami (11-4-6), which falls to 0-2-2 in August.
Toronto is 2-0-2 in its last four matches and 2-1-4 since July 1.
Inter Miami posted a 4-2 victory in Toronto back in May and leads the all-time series 9-3-2.
Toronto: Hosts New York City FC on Saturday.
Miami: Hosts CF Montreal on Saturday.
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Inter Miami forward Leo Messi (10) takes a shot to score during the second half of an MLS soccer game against Toronto FC on Saturday, Aug. 22, 2026, in Miami. (AP Photo/David Santiago)
Toronto FC goalkeeper Luka Gavran (1) defenders Richie Laryea (22) and Nicksoen Gomis (15) celebrate after defeating Inter Miami in an MLS soccer game on Saturday, Aug. 22, 2026, in Miami. (AP Photo/David Santiago)
Inter Miami forward Leo Messi (10) controls the ball against Toronto FC forward Dániel Sallói (20) during the first half of an MLS soccer game on Saturday, Aug. 22, 2026, in Miami. (AP Photo/David Santiago)
Inter Miami forward Leo Messi (10) reacts after a play during the first half of an MLS soccer game against Toronto FC on Saturday, Aug. 22, 2026, in Miami. (AP Photo/David Santiago)
Inter Miami forward Luis Suárez (9) reacts after missing a shot during the first half of an MLS soccer game against Toronto FC on Saturday, Aug. 22, 2026, in Miami. (AP Photo/David Santiago)
Toronto FC defender Benjamín Kuscevic (13) jumps for the ball against Inter Miami forward Germán Berterame (19) during the first half of an MLS soccer game on Saturday, Aug. 22, 2026, in Miami. (AP Photo/David Santiago)
