Chicago – In front of a packed Wrigley Field crowd, Cubs center‑fielder Pete Crow‑Armstrong turned a routine Saturday afternoon into a historic night. The 24‑year‑old went 4‑for‑6 at the plate, blasting three home runs and driving in six runs as Chicago routed the Cincinnati Reds 17‑5.
Early lead and a third‑inning surge
Crow‑Armstrong opened the game with his eighth lead‑off homer of the season, sending a ball over the left‑field wall and setting the tone for what would become a three‑home‑run showcase. He followed that with a second‑inning blast down the right‑field line, extending the Cubs’ lead to 6‑2. The momentum continued in the seventh inning when he launched a clean shot to center field, completing his first three‑home‑run game of his young career.
Family, faith and a touch of Wrigley magic
Before the first pitch, the Cubs honored members of their 150th‑anniversary team, including former slugger Sammy Sosa. Crow‑Armstrong recalled a brief conversation with Sosa in which the legend jokingly claimed he could foresee the night’s fireworks. “Sammy told me I was going to hit three today, and I hit three,” Crow‑Armstrong said in his post‑game interview, adding, “Put that on the record.” The light‑hearted exchange added a nostalgic flair to an already memorable evening.
Implications for the National League MVP race
The performance not only cemented Crow‑Armstrong’s place in Cubs lore but also gave him a significant boost in the National League MVP conversation. With the win, he widened the gap on Los Angeles Dodgers star Shohei Ohtani, who leads the race. If the Cubs’ star maintains this pace, he could join the elite group of Cubs MVPs, a club that includes Kris Bryant (2016) and Sammy Sosa (1998).
Looking ahead
Beyond the MVP chatter, Crow‑Armstrong’s blend of power and speed keeps the Cubs hopeful for a potential 40‑40 season—40 home runs and 40 stolen bases. After his three‑home‑run outburst, he sits at 36 homers and 32 steals, putting the milestone within reach if he stays healthy.
For Chicago fans, the night was a reminder of why Wrigley Field remains a cathedral of baseball tradition, where legends are honored, new heroes emerge, and the community gathers to celebrate the game.
Original reporting: Fox News (HLL/CB) — read the source article.
