Pete Crow-Armstrong scored the game-tying run in the bottom of the ninth inning in what was a thrilling comeback win for his Chicago Cubs on Monday night, but it wasn’t necessarily a smooth sequence.
As the Cubs trailed the visiting Cincinnati Reds 4-3 in the final frame, Crow-Armstrong led things off with a triple. Nico Hoerner then stepped to the plate with one out and hit a fly ball to left field.
With Crow-Armstrong being among the fastest players in baseball, he was sent to home plate on what turned into a sacrifice fly and crossed the dish standing, but he should have gotten down and slid as he was nearly thrown out.
Chicago Cubs outfielder Pete Crow-Armstrong reacts after striking out against the Los Angeles Dodgers during the eighth inning at Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles, Calif., on Apr. 25, 2026. (Kiyoshi Mio/Imagn Images)
CUBS’ CO-OWNER PUSHES BACK ON WOKE BACKLASH MATT SHAW RECEIVED FOR ATTENDING CHARLIE KIRK’S MEMORIAL
In that scenario, the player in the on-deck circle is responsible for telling the runner whether to slide into home or cross standing. The player in this situation was Matt Shaw, who, according to PCA’s reaction in the dugout, didn’t fulfill his duties.
The broadcast caught Crow-Armstrong getting animated in the dugout with Shaw, letting him know his signaling wasn’t nearly good enough, which nearly led to a disaster on the play.
By no means was PCA being disrespectful or over-the-top with Shaw; he was simply letting the second-year player know he needs to be bolder in that situation.
Shaw didn’t get an opportunity at the plate to potentially win the game after PCA knotted things up, as Michael Conforto stepped in to pinch-hit for him.
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Pete Crow-Armstrong #4 of the Chicago Cubs reacts in a game against the Philadelphia Phillies at Wrigley Field on April 20, 2026, in Chicago, Illinois. (Matt Dirksen/Chicago Cubs /Getty Images)
That turned out to be the correct move from Chicago manager Craig Counsell.
Conforto launched a fastball to left-center field for the walk-off home run to extend the Cubs’ winning streak to six games with a 5-4 victory. It was certainly an opportune time for Conforto to hit his first long ball of the season.
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Michael Conforto #20 of the Chicago Cubs celebrates his pinch-hit, walk-off home run in the bottom of the ninth inning in a game against the Cincinnati Reds at Wrigley Field on May 4, 2026, in Chicago, Illinois. (Matt Dirksen/Chicago Cubs/Getty Images)
Dating back to April 14, the Cubs have won 16 of their last 19 games, yet, surprisingly, only hold a two-game lead in the National League Central standings.
