In a thrilling Cubs vs Reds matchup that showcased the explosive potential of Chicago’s offense, Pete Crow-Armstrong delivered a performance for the record books. The young outfielder crushed two home runs, including a go-ahead grand slam in the seventh inning, driving in six runs as the Cubs rallied from multiple deficits to secure a commanding 13-6 victory at Great American Ball Park on Friday night.
Crow-Armstrong’s Historic Night Leads Cubs Comeback
The Cubs – Reds contest began with Cincinnati jumping to an early 3-0 lead in the first inning against Cubs starter Matthew Boyd. The Reds extended their advantage to 4-0 in the third before Pete Crow-Armstrong began the Cubs’ comeback with a two-run homer in the fourth inning off Reds starter Hunter Greene.
Cincinnati pushed their lead back to 6-2 in the fifth inning, but the Cubs’ offense was just warming up. The decisive moment came in the seventh when Chicago loaded the bases with one out. Kyle Tucker delivered a two-run single to cut the deficit to 6-4, and after Seiya Suzuki singled to reload the bases, Crow-Armstrong delivered the knockout blow.
“It doesn’t matter how much tonight rates on the hurt scale,” Reds manager Terry Francona said. “We lost, and we didn’t want to, so we’ve got to quickly regroup, find a way to beat them tomorrow.”
Facing Reds reliever Tony Santillan, Pete Crow-Armstrong connected on an elevated slider, sending it crashing off the right-field foul pole for a grand slam that put the Cubs ahead 8-6. The dramatic home run was punctuated with an emphatic bat flip as Crow-Armstrong watched the ball’s trajectory from home plate.
Pete Crow-Armstrong’s Breakout Performance
For Pete Crow-Armstrong, this remarkable night marked his second six-RBI game in just eight days. According to Sportradar, he became the first Cubs player to record multiple six-RBI games in a calendar month dating back to at least 1920. The last player to accomplish this feat in the majors was Derek Dietrich, who did it in May 2019 for the Reds.
Pete Crow-Armstrong’s powerful swing produced two home runs and six RBIs against the Reds
The young outfielder’s performance continues a remarkable season where he’s established himself as one of the National League’s premier run producers. His second homer of the night was his 14th of the season, and the six RBIs pushed his season total to 45, placing him among the league leaders.
Crow-Armstrong finished the night 3-for-5 with two runs scored, six RBIs, two home runs, and a double. His *clutch hitting* proved decisive as the cubs score continued to climb in the later innings.
Key Stats: Cubs’ Offensive Explosion
| Player | AB | R | H | RBI | HR | Notable |
| Pete Crow-Armstrong | 5 | 2 | 3 | 6 | 2 | Grand slam in 7th |
| Seiya Suzuki | 5 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 1 | 3-run HR in 8th |
| Dansby Swanson | 4 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 2-run HR in 9th |
| Kyle Tucker | 5 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 0 | Key 2-run single |
| Nico Hoerner | 5 | 2 | 3 | 0 | 0 | Two doubles |
6
RBI Leaders Comparison
Pete Crow-Armstrong (CHC)
6 RBI
Rafael Devers (BOS)
8 RBI
Seiya Suzuki (CHC)
3 RBI
Spencer Steer (CIN)
1 RBI
While Pete Crow-Armstrong‘s six-RBI night was remarkable, it came on the same day that Boston’s Rafael Devers delivered an even more impressive eight-RBI performance with two home runs against the Orioles. Both young stars showcased the kind of offensive firepower that can completely transform a game.
Cubs’ Offensive Strategy Pays Off
The Cubs‘ approach against Reds starter Hunter Greene proved effective, as they *worked deep counts* and drove up his pitch count. Greene, making his return from the 15-day injured list, was limited to 80 pitches but was forced to throw 83 in just four innings of work.
This strategy exposed Cincinnati’s bullpen, which entered the game with solid surface statistics but underlying metrics that suggested regression was coming. That regression arrived in spectacular fashion as the Cubs pounded Reds relievers for 11 runs over the final three innings.
After Pete Crow-Armstrong‘s grand slam gave Chicago the lead, Seiya Suzuki added a three-run homer in the eighth inning, and Dansby Swanson contributed a two-run shot in the ninth to complete the cubs score explosion.
Seiya Suzuki’s three-run homer in the eighth inning helped seal the Cubs’ victory
Game-Changing Moments in Cubs-Reds Clash
The McLain Missed Tag
A pivotal moment came in the seventh inning when Reds second baseman Matt McLain fielded a grounder and attempted to tag Nico Hoerner on his way to second base. Hoerner successfully dodged the tag, leaving both runners safe and setting the stage for the Cubs’ rally.
“We needed to make sure we got at least one out on the play,” Reds manager Terry Francona noted after the game.
The Crow-Armstrong Grand Slam
The defining moment came when Pete Crow-Armstrong connected on Tony Santillan’s elevated slider, sending it crashing off the right-field foul pole for a grand slam. The dramatic home run flipped a 6-4 deficit into an 8-6 lead and completely changed the game’s momentum.
The Bullpen Battle
While the Reds’ bullpen imploded, allowing 11 runs in the final three innings, the Cubs’ relief corps was outstanding. Chris Flexen (2-0) earned the win with 1⅓ perfect innings, and the combination of Brad Keller, Drew Pomeranz, and Ryan Pressly shut down Cincinnati’s offense the rest of the way.
The Cubs vs Reds matchup showcased the dramatic swings that can occur at Great American Ball Park, a venue known for being hitter-friendly. What began as a comfortable lead for Cincinnati transformed into a convincing victory for Chicago, largely due to Pete Crow-Armstrong‘s heroics.
Playoff Implications for the Cubs
Cubs’ Playoff Position Strengthens
- Improved to 31-20 overall, maintaining NL Central lead
- Extended lead over Reds to 6.5 games in the division
- Won three straight games and six of their last seven
- Demonstrated resilience by overcoming multiple deficits
- Offensive firepower continues to be a major strength
Challenges Ahead
- Starting pitching concerns with Boyd’s uncharacteristic struggles
- Bullpen reliability questions with Merryweather’s continued issues
- Five more head-to-head games against Reds through June 1
- Maintaining offensive production against better pitching staffs
- Potential injury concerns as season progresses
With this victory, the Cubs continue to solidify their position atop the NL Central. Their *balanced offensive attack* and ability to produce runs in bunches make them a formidable opponent as the season progresses toward the midway point.
For Pete Crow-Armstrong, this performance further establishes him as one of the emerging stars in the National League. His continued development will be crucial to the Cubs’ playoff aspirations as they look to return to postseason play.
Follow the Cubs’ Playoff Push
Don’t miss any of the action as Pete Crow-Armstrong and the Chicago Cubs continue their quest for an NL Central title. The series against the Reds continues tomorrow with Colin Rea (3-0, 2.38 ERA) taking the mound against Cincinnati’s Andrew Abbott (3-0, 1.80 ERA).
Cubs vs Reds Series Continues
As the Cubs vs Reds series continues, both teams will look to adjust their strategies. For Cincinnati, recovering from this deflating loss will be crucial as they try to stay within striking distance in the division race. For Chicago, building on this momentum could help them create even more separation in the standings.
With five more head-to-head matchups scheduled through June 1, these NL Central rivals will have plenty of opportunities to battle for positioning. But on this night, it was Pete Crow-Armstrong‘s star that shone brightest, delivering a performance that Cubs fans won’t soon forget.
The cubs score of 13-6 marked their second-highest run total in the past week, as Chicago’s offense continues to fire on all cylinders. With Pete Crow-Armstrong and Seiya Suzuki leading the charge, the Cubs’ lineup has become one of the most feared in the National League.
