One moment, the Cubs were leading. Then, the Sox took over. Monday’s City Series game at Wrigley Field needed more than nine innings to reach a conclusion. Nico Hoerner, the Cubs’ shortstop, sent the game to extra innings with a crucial RBI single in the ninth. Pete Crow-Armstrong won it in the 10th with a walk-off two-run home run. The final score was 7-5, celebrated by a lively crowd of 40,354 fans from both teams.
Manager’s Thoughts
“It was a great baseball game,” Cubs manager Craig Counsell said. “A lot of back and forth, some huge hits on both sides, big home runs on both sides. There was great energy in the stadium, fun game, and obviously a good one to come out on the right side of.”
Early Momentum
The Cubs wasted no time. Luis Castillo, the White Sox pitcher, started the first inning, but Pete Crow-Armstrong hit a home run on his first pitch to right field. Seiya Suzuki followed shortly with another home run. This quick start put the Cubs ahead 2-0.
“Those first two batters, the first two homers, I just missed my spot,” said Castillo through an interpreter. “After that, I think the catcher (Jake Rogers) and myself were on the same page.”
Castillo allowed four runs (three earned) on eight hits with one strikeout and one walk over 4 2/3 innings.
Grichuk Strikes Again
White Sox designated hitter Randal Grichuk hit a three-run home run in the fourth inning. Cubs starter Shota Imanaga had allowed three runs on two hits with 10 strikeouts and three walks in six innings. Imanaga’s biggest mistake came off a splitter. Grichuk’s homer gave the Sox a 3-2 lead.
Cubs Capitalize on Error
With runners on the corners and two outs in the fifth, Hoerner’s slow roller to third was mishandled by Vargas. This error allowed Suzuki to score, and Ian Happ capitalized on the mistake to give the Cubs a 4-3 lead.
“Definitely that was a mistake by me,” admitted Vargas. “It was the tying run at third base and I tried to make the play. I rushed it a little and made a bad throw.”
Benintendi’s Key Moment
Andrew Benintendi, hitting for Grichuk, delivered a critical two-run home run in the eighth, regaining a 5-4 lead for the Sox.
“It was special,” Sox manager Will Venable commented. “We didn’t have a ton of hits tonight, but the guys made them count.”
Final Inning Drama
Trailing in the ninth, the Cubs tied the game at 5. Hoerner singled, scoring pinch runner Tyrone Taylor. The Cubs nearly won outright but couldn’t capitalize, sending the game into extra innings.
The Decisive Moment
During the 10th inning, Crow-Armstrong faced Sox pitcher Hagen Smith. Despite the count being in Crow-Armstrong’s favor, he swung at a slider, clinching the win for the Cubs with a home run. “Just kind of hung a slider and he hit it,” said Smith.
“This is just really good for the city,” Crow-Armstrong stated. “We get to put that product out in the field together and go compete. It’s really good for the city having both of us playing the kind of baseball we are.”
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