Crow-Armstrong hits cycle in Cubs’ walk-off win
Pete Crow-Armstrong delivered a historic performance Monday night, becoming the first player in Major League Baseball this season to hit for the cycle as the Chicago Cubs rallied for a dramatic 5-4 walk-off victory over the Colorado Rockies at Wrigley Field.
The Cubs erased a late two-run deficit and completed their comeback without recording an out in the ninth inning. Matt Shaw drew a bases-loaded walk to force home the winning run after Pedro Ramirez tied the game with an RBI single moments earlier.
Crow-Armstrong accomplished the cycle in reverse order, opening the game with a leadoff home run in the first inning before adding a triple in the third, a double in the fifth, and a single in the seventh.
The achievement marked the 13th cycle in franchise history and the first by a Cubs player at Wrigley Field since Mark Grace completed one against the San Diego Padres on May 9, 1993.
Despite Crow-Armstrong’s standout night, Chicago appeared headed for defeat after Colorado’s Cole Carrigg delivered a three-run home run in the eighth inning to put the Rockies ahead 4-2.
The Cubs immediately responded. Crow-Armstrong drove in a run with a sacrifice fly in the bottom of the eighth to cut the deficit to one and set the stage for the ninth-inning rally.
Colorado reliever Juan Mejia entered the final inning and quickly ran into trouble. After walking Seiya Suzuki to begin the frame, Mejia attempted to force Suzuki at second base on a comebacker from Ian Happ, but threw the ball away, allowing Suzuki to advance to third.
Mejia then issued another walk before being replaced by Seth Halvorsen, who surrendered the game-tying RBI single to Ramirez.
With the bases loaded, Shaw worked a five-pitch walk to bring home the winning run. Rockies pitchers issued nine walks during the game.
Daniel Palencia earned the victory for Chicago after tossing a one-hit ninth inning. The Cubs improved to four wins in their last five games.
Ramirez, Shaw, and Alex Bregman each collected two hits for Chicago.
Carrigg’s three-run homer provided Colorado’s biggest offensive moment, while Willi Castro and Hunter Goodman contributed two hits apiece for the Rockies, who have dropped four of their last five contests.
Chicago starter Shota Imanaga delivered a solid outing, allowing one run on five hits over 5 2/3 innings while striking out three.
Colorado starter Michael Lorenzen matched him for much of the evening, surrendering one run on five hits and one walk while recording five strikeouts across five innings.
Ultimately, Crow-Armstrong’s historic cycle and the Cubs’ late rally proved to be the difference in one of the most memorable games at Wrigley Field this season.
