Pete Crow-Armstrong Hits Three Homers in Cubs' 17-5 Rout of Reds

Pete Crow-Armstrong drove in six runs and hit three homers during a 17-5 Chicago Cubs victory against the Cincinnati Reds.

Pete Crow-Armstrong powered the Chicago Cubs to a 17-5 victory over the Cincinnati Reds on Saturday at Wrigley Field, recording his first career three-homer game. The 24-year-old All-Star center fielder finished the afternoon with four hits, four runs scored, and six RBI in front of a crowd of 39,597. Crow-Armstrong’s performance included an eighth career leadoff home run in the first inning, which traveled 435 feet to right-center field.

In the second inning, Crow-Armstrong hit a two-run shot off the right-field foul pole to record his fifth multihomer game of the season and the 11th of his career. His third home run of the day came in the seventh inning against right-hander Tony Santillan, a 444-foot blast to center field with runners on first and second. The Cubs leadoff hitter secured his first three hits of the game against left-hander Andrew Abbott, contributing to a season where he is batting .315 with 11 homers and 34 RBI against left-handed pitching.

Sosa’s Pregame Challenge and MVP Race

The performance followed two pregame interactions with 57-year-old Sammy Sosa, who was at the ballpark for a ceremony honoring the Cubs' 150 years as a National League franchise. Sosa met Crow-Armstrong in the lobby and again in the batting cage, specifically challenging the young outfielder to hit three home runs during the contest. This power display bolstered Crow-Armstrong’s case for the NL MVP award as he attempts to unseat Shohei Ohtani, who has won the honor the previous two years.

While Ohtani has been limited to designated hitter duties due to a right biceps injury and left knee soreness that has prevented him from pitching since July 3, Crow-Armstrong has maintained a .282 batting average through 136 games. His season totals now stand at 36 home runs, 89 RBI, and 32 stolen bases. Manager Craig Counsell noted the significance of the season, stating that the team is lucky to be a part of the center fielder's development.

Statistical Growth and Defensive Impact

Crow-Armstrong’s success against lefties marks a significant improvement from his 2025 campaign, when he hit .188 with seven homers and 27 RBI against southpaws. Teammate Alex Bregman highlighted the outfielder's versatility, noting his ability to impact games through diving catches, running down balls in center field, and aggressive baserunning, such as scoring from third on balls hit into left field.

During the eighth inning, Crow-Armstrong faced Reds catcher Jose Trevino, who was positioned on the mound, and grounded out to second base. Despite the out, the Wrigley Field audience provided a long ovation, chanting "M-V-P!" as he had earlier rounded the bases. The Cubs star credited his improvement to learning the strike zone better and gaining a natural feel for the game. The victory moved the Cubs forward as Crow-Armstrong continues to establish himself as one of the premier defensive and offensive threats in Major League Baseball.