On May 23, 2025, the Chicago Cubs staged a dramatic comeback against the Cincinnati Reds, fueled by a career-defining performance from 23-year-old outfielder Pete Crow-Armstrong. In a game that oscillated between defensive miscues, offensive fireworks, and historic milestones, Crow-Armstrong cemented his status as one of baseball’s most electrifying young stars, leading the Cubs to a 13-6 victory and solidifying their position atop the NL Central .
A Night of Firsts and Fireworks
The game began ominously for the Cubs, as Reds starter Hunter Greene—fresh off the injured list—dominated early, striking out Ian Happ on a 99.2 mph fastball and holding Chicago scoreless through three innings . Cincinnati capitalized on shaky Cubs pitching, building a 6-2 lead by the fifth inning, highlighted by Austin Hays’ RBI single and a wild pitch that scored another run .
But the tide turned in the seventh inning. With the bases loaded and two outs, Crow-Armstrong stepped up against Reds reliever Tony Santillan. On the first pitch—an 86.9 mph slider—he launched a towering 350-foot grand slam that ricocheted off the right-field foul pole, flipping the game to an 8-6 Cubs lead. The blast, his 14th homer of the season, marked his first career grand slam and capped a six-run inning that included key hits from Kyle Tucker and Seiya Suzuki . Crow-Armstrong’s reaction was pure euphoria: he stood at the plate, willed the ball fair, and unleashed an emphatic bat flip as the dugout erupted. “I thought it was going foul, and then it didn’t,” he later admitted. “That was a blackout moment” .
Historic Company
Crow-Armstrong’s six-RBI night wasn’t an isolated feat. Just eight days earlier, he drove in six runs from the leadoff spot in a 13-3 rout of the White Sox. This made him the first Cubs player since 1920—when RBIs became an official stat—to record two six-RBI games in a calendar month . He also joined rarefied company in MLB history, becoming the third player since 1920 to tally at least 14 home runs, 14 stolen bases, and 45 RBIs through the first 51 games of a season, alongside Eric Davis (1987 Reds) and Ken Williams (1922 Browns) .
His power surge has been particularly remarkable: all 14 of his homers have come in the past 34 games, a pace unmatched in Cubs history since Sammy Sosa and Hank Sauer . Manager Craig Counsell marveled at his versatility: “Pete’s doing things uniquely right. He’s a player who can change a game in so many ways” .
The Reds’ Collapse
For Cincinnati, the loss underscored recurring issues. Hunter Greene, despite a strong return (3 innings, 2 runs), was pulled after a laborious 37-pitch fourth inning, foreshadowing bullpen struggles . Defensive lapses proved costly: a failed tag by Matt McLain and a misplayed bloop single by Santiago Espinal extended the Cubs’ seventh-inning rally . The Reds’ bullpen, already taxed, crumbled further as Seiya Suzuki added a three-run homer in the eighth, and Dansby Swanson’s ninth-inning blast sealed the rout .
Elly De La Cruz provided a silver lining for Cincinnati, becoming the fastest player since 1920 to reach 300 hits, 150 RBIs, and 100 stolen bases (310 games), surpassing Hanley Ramirez’s record .
A Team Effort
While Crow-Armrightrightfully stole the spotlight, the Cubs’ victory was a collective effort. Chris Flexen (2-0) stabilized the game with 1.1 scoreless innings, escaping a fifth-inning jam when Cincinnati botched a double steal . Suzuki’s three-run homer and Swanson’s late insurance runs highlighted the depth of a lineup that has now won six of seven games .
A Star Ascendant
Crow-Armstrong’s rise reflects both individual brilliance and team trust. Moved around the lineup—from leadoff to cleanup—he’s thrived in every role. “I’m lucky to have guys on base in front of me,” he said, crediting teammates for his RBI opportunities . His blend of power, speed, and clutch hitting has energized a Cubs franchise steeped in history, evoking comparisons to legends while carving his own path.
As the Cubs continue their playoff push, nights like these remind fans why baseball remains a game of moments—where a single swing can turn despair into delirium, and a young star can etch his name into the annals of a storied franchise. For Pete Crow-Armstrong, this was more than a game; it was a declaration. And for the Cubs, it’s a promise of excitement yet to come.
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