Cubs Rally to Defeat Athletics with Late-Inning Heroics

Pete Crow-Armstrong stood in the outfield at Wrigley Field feeling helpless. He had lost sight of a fly ball, an unusual occurrence, in the twilight sky during Thursday night’s game. In the top of the sixth inning, Athletics catcher Shea Langeliers hit a 0-1 splitter from Shota Imanaga toward center field. Crow-Armstrong raised his arms, unable to track the ball. It landed approximately 15 feet behind him, rolling to the warning track. Right fielder Michael Conforto retrieved and threw the ball back but not before Langeliers circled the bases for a two-run, inside-the-park home run, giving the A’s a four-run lead.

Amid boos from 37,419 fans, it seemed another loss and a sweep were imminent for the Cubs. Yet, improbably, the Cubs staged a remarkable comeback. They scored four runs in the ninth inning, securing a 7-6 victory over the A’s and snapping an eight-game home losing streak. That inning, the Cubs recorded seven hits, compared to four in the previous eight innings. According to team historian Ed Hartig, the last instance of the Cubs scoring at least four runs in the ninth for a walk-off win was on Aug. 12, 2018, against the Washington Nationals, courtesy of David Bote’s grand slam.

Crow-Armstrong, seeking redemption for the earlier error, achieved his first career walk-off hit. He gently lifted Luis Medina’s 98.8 mph fastball into right field to seal the game. Reflecting on the earlier defensive mistake, he remarked, “There’s not much you can do but hope you see it next time. I wouldn’t have had the chance in the ninth if each at-bat before didn’t happen. We’ve been battling all year, and this shows what we’re capable of.”

Dansby Swanson’s critical contribution was vital. Despite being in a slump reminiscent of his 2017 rookie season, Swanson delivered a clutch hit. With two outs and facing Medina, he turned on a two-strike, 99.7 mph fastball, driving in the tying run from second. His excitement was evident as he reached first base. “Raw emotion and competitive spirit are crucial in this game,” Swanson noted. “It’s about winning and losing. Succeeding in that moment felt great.” At that point, Swanson was batting .162 across his last 33 games.

The game, up to the ninth inning, was shaping into another low point for a season marked by extreme highs and lows. Tensions ran high at Wrigley following the inside-the-park homer. After the sixth inning concluded, a fan shouted at Crow-Armstrong as he approached the dugout. Despite the uncertainty of whom the criticism targeted, it agitated Crow-Armstrong. Though initially confronting the fan, he refrained from responding verbally, with a teammate guiding him back into the dugout. This interaction fueled him for his next at-bat.

Manager Craig Counsell advised Crow-Armstrong between innings, stating, “Don’t dwell on what happened. Focus on your next at-bat.” In response, Crow-Armstrong began the bottom of the sixth inning with his second home run in two days and his third in five games. Reflecting on his earlier approach, Crow-Armstrong admitted, “In the past, I’d dwell on a play like that, impacting my day. With support and not avoiding the next opportunity, it’s growth I’m proud of, though I must stay consistent for the rest of the season.”

Players who excel in critical moments gain recognition. On Thursday, Crow-Armstrong maintained focus, crucial for his team’s victory. His skill in creating standout moments is not easily defined. Manager Counsell remarked humorously, “That’s for great writers to explain. It’s tough to see, tough on him with it being a big play and multiple runs. But the moments matter for these players, and they’re foundation builders.”