During the seventh-inning stretch at Wrigley Field on Thursday, local rock band Hippo Campus performed “Take Me Out to the Ballgame.” Shortly after, the iconic “Bear Down, Chicago Bears” song played, and the video board displayed notable Chicago figures: Bears quarterback Caleb Williams, Bulls forwards Caleb Wilson and Matas Buzelis, and Cole Bennett of Lyrical Lemonade. This group, seated prominently in Cubs jerseys, enthusiastically joined the crowd in cheering for Cubs center fielder Pete Crow-Armstrong.
Crow-Armstrong, recently honored as the NL Player of the Month, added to the excitement with a crucial two-run home run, marking his 39th of the season. This contribution was key in the Cubs’ narrow 2-1 victory over the Milwaukee Brewers, helping the Cubs (79-62) secure a series split. “The energy was incredible,” Crow-Armstrong reflected, noting the positive momentum from the crowd and fellow athletes.
Cubs manager Craig Counsell commented on the electric atmosphere, highlighting the connection Crow-Armstrong shares with local sports figures. The win provided the Cubs a much-needed boost, placing them close to the top National League wild-card position, trailing only by a half-game against the Philadelphia Phillies.
Beyond Crow-Armstrong’s homer, pitcher Kevin Gausman delivered an exceptional performance. Across seven innings, Gausman allowed just one run and struck out nine batters. Relying mainly on his fastball-splitter combination, he threw 103 pitches, achieving 12 whiffs with his splitter. “When I can locate my fastball and split, it’s hard to beat,” Gausman stated, crediting his catcher and defense for the successful outing.
Gausman’s strong performance was vital, especially following challenging games earlier in the week. Recent starts saw Matthew Boyd and David Peterson struggle, leading to bullpen reliance. However, Thursday’s game reduced this dependency, and relief pitchers Ryan Zeferjahn and Ryan Rolison effectively sealed the win with perfect innings. “It’s crucial for our bullpen to have such confidence-building outings,” Counsell emphasized.
Challenges persist, with pitcher Ben Brown confirmed to miss the remainder of the season due to a neck stress reaction. Despite these setbacks, the Cubs remain optimistic, planning for his return next season. Additionally, Edward Cabrera and Shelby Miller are on track to rejoin the team soon, having pitched for Triple-A Iowa.
Amid these developments, Crow-Armstrong continues to shine and cites the supportive relationships within the Chicago sports community. “The camaraderie among teams is invaluable. We support one another, and that strengthens our bond,” he noted.
Freelance reporter Andy Martinez contributed this piece for the Chicago Tribune.
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