Cubs' Crow-Armstrong Hits Three Homers, Drives in Six in Rout of Reds
Pete Crow-Armstrong homered three times and drove in six runs as the Cubs beat the Reds 17-5. The 24-year-old center fielder, who had four hits and scored four runs, credited a pregame conversation with Sammy Sosa for his performance. He is batting .282 with 36 homers and 89 RBIs this season.
Crow-Armstrong's outburst began with a 435-foot leadoff drive in the first inning, followed by a two-run shot off the right-field foul pole in the second. He capped the day with a 444-foot blast to center in the seventh, all three homers coming against different pitchers. The performance marked his fifth multihomer game of the season and first career three-homer effort.
The 24-year-old's improvement against left-handed pitching has been dramatic, jumping from a .188 average against southpaws in 2025 to .315 this season. His 36 homers and 89 RBIs place him in the NL MVP conversation alongside Shohei Ohtani, who has been limited to designated hitter duties due to injuries. Crow-Armstrong credited a pregame conversation with Sammy Sosa, who told him he wanted three homers from the young outfielder.
This performance could energize Cubs fans and bolster Crow-Armstrong's NL MVP case against Shohei Ohtani, potentially shifting national attention toward Chicago's playoff hopes. His success against left-handed pitching may inspire younger players working to overcome similar weaknesses, while the mentorship moment with Sammy Sosa could resonate with fans who value franchise history and player development traditions.