The atmosphere in St. Louis was anything but welcoming for Pete Crow-Armstrong. Over recent weeks, he has become a favorite target for opposing fans’ jeers. The derision intensified during the Cubs’ recent matchups against the Cardinals at Busch Stadium.
On Saturday, Crow-Armstrong responded with an outstanding performance, going 4-for-5. He hit a significant home run, earned two RBIs, and made a game-winning sliding catch. His efforts contributed to the Chicago Cubs’ 6-1 victory over the St. Louis Cardinals. This win helped the Cubs even the series as they approached the ‘Sunday Night Baseball’ finale.
Crow-Armstrong’s combination of impressive batting and solid defense, supported by Ben Brown’s seven effective innings, created a jubilant mood in the Cubs’ clubhouse. “I need more of that in my day-to-day,” Crow-Armstrong shared. “Remembering that this is fun, even when you go through tough stretches and not taking myself too seriously.”
The Cubs held a 3-1 lead by the seventh inning, thanks to RBIs from Nico Hoerner and Michael Busch. In the eighth, despite boos and chants of “overrated” from Cardinals fans in the right field section known as ‘Tarps Off,’ Crow-Armstrong blasted a 96 mph fastball from Gordon Graceffo 444 feet into the same fan section. He engaged with the mocking fans by twirling his hand over his head, reminiscent of how they twirled their shirts.
At 114.6 mph, this was the hardest-hit ball of Crow-Armstrong’s career and his longest home run this season. Crow-Armstrong revealed that he thrives on such rivalries, enjoying the energetic atmosphere even if it’s directed against him. He remarked on the enthusiasm of the ‘Tarps Off’ crowd, noting their constant, lively presence.
Crow-Armstrong has faced challenging times recently, following an All-Star season in 2025 and a lucrative contract in the spring. His recent performance seemed to lift some weight off his shoulders. Ian Happ commented, “It’s good energy in the ballpark. It’s a cool thing that there are that many young people that want to come out and watch baseball and support it.”
In the ninth inning, Crow-Armstrong again delivered with a bases-loaded single, prompting Cubs fans to chant his initials, “P-C-A.” He completed his night with a running, sliding catch, effectively ending the game and drawing cheers from Cubs supporters.
Cubs manager Craig Counsell recognized Crow-Armstrong’s performance but emphasized consistency. He remarked, “Swung the bat really, really well. Do it tomorrow.” The contributions of Seiya Suzuki, who threw a runner out at third, and Crow-Armstrong’s playful actions highlighted the camaraderie within the team.
Ben Brown’s pitching added to the Cubs’ success. Over seven innings, Brown allowed just one run and struck out six, lowering his ERA to 1.73. Counsell praised Brown’s development, noting his strategic use of changeups against Nolan Gorman.
Amid recent challenges, the Cubs needed a game like Saturday’s to boost morale. Crow-Armstrong is learning the pressures and positives that come with being in the spotlight. Despite it all, he aims to enjoy the game with his teammates, focusing on the joy of playing.
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