Pete Crow-Armstrong Hits 14th August Homer in Cubs' 7-5 Loss to Reds

Pete Crow-Armstrong recorded his 13th and 14th home runs of August during a 7-5 defeat against the Cincinnati Reds, marking the most homers by any MLB player in a single month this season.

The Chicago Cubs fell 7-5 to the Cincinnati Reds on Sunday, marking their third consecutive series loss. Despite the defeat, center fielder Pete Crow-Armstrong hit his 13th and 14th home runs of August, establishing the highest home run total for any MLB player in a single calendar month during the 2026 season. Crow-Armstrong initiated the scoring with a first-inning leadoff home run and concluded his performance with a ninth-inning blast. This power surge followed a Saturday performance where he also led off with a homer, totaling five home runs over the final two games of the series.

Chicago now sits in a tie with the Philadelphia Phillies for the top National League wild card spot. The Sunday loss was compounded by starting pitcher Shota Imanaga surrendering three home runs, bringing his season total to 33. This figure ties Imanaga for the most home runs allowed in MLB this year and contributes to a Cubs pitching staff that leads the league in home runs surrendered. Chicago has now allowed three or more home runs in six different games this season, setting a new franchise record.

Historical Context and Franchise Records

Crow-Armstrong’s 14 home runs in August match the mark set by former Cubs outfielder Alfonso Soriano in September 2007. He remains behind Sammy Sosa’s club record of 20 home runs in June 1998. By hitting five home runs across a two-game span, Crow-Armstrong became the fifth player in Cubs history to achieve the feat, joining teammate Dansby Swanson, who reached the milestone earlier this season.

With 38 home runs currently on his season stat line, the center fielder is approaching the 40-homer mark. Hall of Famer Billy Williams is currently the only left-handed hitter in the history of the franchise to record 40 home runs in one season. Manager Craig Counsell noted that the ball "explodes off his bat," describing the first-inning leadoff shot as a "no-doubt home run."

MVP Race and Roster Management

Crow-Armstrong enters the final month of the regular season as a favorite for the NL MVP award. His candidacy is bolstered by the current status of Los Angeles Dodgers star Shohei Ohtani, who is experiencing a hitting slump and lacks a confirmed date to return to the pitcher's mound. Crow-Armstrong credited his physical freshness to starting several games as the designated hitter earlier in the month, which he claims has helped him remain available for daily play.

Regarding the pitching rotation, Counsell confirmed that Shota Imanaga’s position is secure despite the three homers allowed on Sunday. The manager stated that the team needs Imanaga to remain in the rotation for his remaining scheduled starts.

Team Outlook and Player Perspective

Following the 7-5 result, Crow-Armstrong shifted the focus from his individual statistics to the team’s collective performance. He noted that while the last three series have been difficult, the team remains in a position to finish the regular season well. The outfielder emphasized that his primary goal is being available every day rather than focusing on physical field statistics.

Chicago will look to break their series losing streak as the calendar turns to September. Crow-Armstrong’s torrid August stretch concludes with him leading the majors in monthly home run production, providing a significant offensive spark despite the team's recent slide in the standings.