Pete Crow-Armstrong achieved a career milestone on Saturday, hitting three home runs and driving in six runs to lead the Chicago Cubs to a decisive 17-5 victory against the Cincinnati Reds at Wrigley Field. The center fielder also recorded four hits and scored four times during the game.
Crow-Armstrong’s standout performance came after pregame conversations with former Cubs star Sammy Sosa, who was part of a ceremony celebrating the team’s 150th anniversary. Sosa reportedly challenged Crow-Armstrong to hit three home runs during the game, a feat the young player accomplished.
"He was like, ‘I want three out of you today. … I need three,’" Crow-Armstrong said. "And sure enough, I don’t know what he passed down to me there."
The 24-year-old Crow-Armstrong, who is in contention for NL MVP, now has 36 home runs, 89 RBIs, and 32 stolen bases in 136 games this season. His performance includes hitting .282 overall and .315 against left-handed pitchers, an improvement from the previous season.
Manager Craig Counsell praised Crow-Armstrong’s season, stating, "I think Pete’s having a wonderful season. It’s a lot of fun to watch. … We’re lucky to be a part of it."
Crow-Armstrong’s first home run, a 435-foot drive in the first inning, was his eighth leadoff homer of the season. He added a two-run shot in the second inning, hitting the foul pole in right field. His third home run, a 444-foot drive to center, came in the seventh inning with runners on base. The crowd responded with chants of “M-V-P!” as he rounded the bases. This marked Crow-Armstrong's fifth multi-homer game this season and eleventh of his career.
Teammate Alex Bregman highlighted Crow-Armstrong's versatility, noting, "I think he can change the game in so many different ways. I think that one day it’s hitting three homers, the next day it’s making three diving plays or just running down balls that nobody else can go catch out there in center field."
Crow-Armstrong attributed his improved hitting, particularly against lefties, to a better understanding of the strike zone and overall development as a player. He expressed enjoyment of his time with the Cubs and the growing connection with the fanbase.