White Sox infielder Colson Montgomery set the single-season strikeout record with 224 strikeouts on Friday, surpassing Mark Reynolds' previous mark of 223. The 24-year-old worked a full count before taking a fastball over the heart of the plate for the record-setting strikeout against Colorado Rockies pitcher Tomoyuki Sugano. Montgomery has a 35.5% strikeout rate this season, second worst among qualified hitters, just behind teammate Munetaka Murakami (35.6%). Despite his high strikeout numbers, Montgomery has hit 31 home runs and driven in 87 RBIs while contributing to a playoff team. His chase and strikeout rates have increased compared to his rookie season, and he has struck out in all but two games this month.

Elly De La Cruz became the fourth Cincinnati Reds player to achieve a 30-homer, 30-steal season on Friday, stealing third base to reach the milestone. The two-time All-Star shortstop hit his 30th home run in Thursday's win at Atlanta and added a two-run double in the third inning at Toronto. De La Cruz joined Eric Davis (1987), Barry Larkin (1996), and Brandon Phillips (2007) as Reds players to reach the feat. He also became the first Reds player and eighth big leaguer since 1900 with at least 30 steals in each of his first four seasons, joining Kansas City's Bobby Witt (2022-2025).