Pete Crow-Armstrong hit a walk-off home run in extra innings Monday night, leading the Chicago Cubs to a 7-5 victory over the crosstown rival Chicago White Sox at Wrigley Field. The dramatic blast marked the rookie's first career walk-off homer and his second home run of the game.
Crow-Armstrong opened the scoring in the bottom of the first inning with a leadoff home run off the scoreboard. In the bottom of the 10th, with the game tied, he connected on a hanging slider for the game-winning hit. After the hit, he launched his bat towards the Cubs' dugout, celebrated while rounding the bases, and tossed his helmet as he approached home plate.
Despite the flashy display, Crow-Armstrong emphasized a team-first approach in the locker room after the game. "That was my first career walk-off homer, so that's fun to note, but if Nico (Hoerner) doesn't tie it up for us, I don't get that chance," Crow-Armstrong said. He also acknowledged the contributions of his teammates, citing Ian Happ's effort to beat out a double play earlier in the inning as an example of the "little stuff that went right" which set up the opportunity for his at-bat.
This performance also cemented Crow-Armstrong's place in Cubs history. With his two home runs against the White Sox, he became the first player in franchise history to record back-to-back seasons with at least 30 home runs and 30 stolen bases. The win marked the Cubs' 73rd of the season.
Crow-Armstrong, known for his confident on-field persona, has shown a more reserved demeanor off the field, prioritizing team contributions over individual accolades. This dual approach was evident throughout the Cubs' extra-innings win.