The Cincinnati Reds just hammered the playoff-hopeful Diamondbacks 11-5 in a scorching 114-degree Phoenix night, but while JJ Bleday dropped a cycle on Arizona, what this performance signals for their 2027 bounce-back plans is the real fire. This win isn’t just about a single game, it’s a flashing neon sign for what’s coming next year.
Bleday’s Historic Cycle Night: A Taste of What’s Coming
Can you believe it? JJ Bleday went off! This dude, a $1.4 million free agent signed back in December after the Athletics non-tendered him, became only the eighth player in Reds history to hit for the cycle. He doubled in the first, tripled in the third, singled in the fourth, and then absolutely crushed the first pitch of the sixth inning over the left-field wall for the homer. That’s just wild.
It’s the first cycle for a Red since Elly De La Cruz did it in his 15th career game back in 2023, and the first time a Red has done it on the road since Heinie Groh in Chicago in 1915. Imagine this: De La Cruz himself went 4-for-6 and was only a triple shy of hitting for the cycle too, which would’ve been the first time in big-league history two players hit for the cycle in the same game. Bleday was a popular trade deadline request, but the Reds held onto him. Why? To keep his lefty bat in the lineup for next year’s season opener. That tells you everything you need to know about how much they value him moving forward.
Lowder’s Arm Might Be The True Gold For 2027
As epic as Bleday’s night was, what rookie Rhett Lowder did on the mound might be even *more* important for the Reds’ 2027 plans. This guy, the No. 7 overall pick from the 2023 draft, started the second game of the series against Arizona. Remember, he missed all of last season with injuries after a dazzling six-start debut in 2024, and even struggled early this year with shoulder soreness, landing him on the injured list.
But since rejoining the rotation last month? He’s been consistent. Lowder gave up three earned runs in this six-inning start, bringing his ERA to 3.60 over his last six starts. On a 92-pitch night, he gave up a leadoff double but stranded the runner, then retired 11 of the next 12 batters as his teammates piled up a 6-0 lead. He pitched like a guy with a big lead, eventually handing off a 10-4 game to the bullpen.
We got other glimpses of 2027, too: Elly De La Cruz’s 21st home run was a missile, rookie Sal Stewart went 3-for-6 with his 97th RBI, and Hector Rodriguez smashed his first career homer. Hard-throwing reliever Luis Mey struck out two more in a scoreless inning, making it seven straight outings with at least two Ks, just shy of the Reds’ record. Even Matt McLain got in on the action, just two games after hitting his first grand slam. This Reds squad is showing flashes, and if Bleday and Lowder are any indication, 2027 could be wild.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Yahoo Sports.
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