Pete Crow-Armstrong scored the game-tying run in the bottom of the ninth inning in what was a thrilling comeback 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 opened the game with a triple. Nico Hoerner then stepped up to the plate with one out and hit a fly ball to left field.
Since Crow-Armstrong is among the fastest players in baseball, he was sent to home plate on what became a sacrifice fly and crossed the plate standing up, but he should have ducked and slid because he was almost ejected.
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, California on April 25, 2026. (Kiyoshi Mio/Image Images)
CUBS CO-OWNER REJECTS RETRACTION MATT SHAW RECEIVED FOR ATTENDING CHARLIE KIRK MEMORIAL
In that scenario, the player in the on-deck circle is responsible for telling the runner whether to slide toward home plate or cross on his feet. The player in this situation was Matt Shaw, who, according to the reaction of the PCA on the bench, failed to fulfill his duties.
The broadcast caught Crow-Armstrong cheering in the dugout with Shaw, letting him know his signals weren't good enough, which almost led to a disaster on the play.
In no way was PCA disrespectful or overreacting to Shaw; he was simply letting the second-year player know that he needs to be bolder in that situation.
Shaw didn't get a chance at the plate to potentially win the game after the PCA clouded things, when Michael Conforto 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 right decision by Chicago manager Craig Counsell.
Conforto launched a fastball to left-center field for the decisive home run that extended the Cubs' winning streak to six games with a 5-4 victory. It was certainly an opportune moment 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 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)
Since April 14, the Cubs have won 16 of their last 19 games, but surprisingly only have a two-game lead in the NL Central standings.
