The extra-loud ovation that greeted Pete Crow-Armstrong before his first at-bat Thursday at Wrigley Field made it clear that every game he plays in has must-see-event potential.
Crow-Armstrong rewarded the fans with a franchise-history-making swing. Lining a high fastball into the right-field bleachers, Crow-Armstrong became the first major-leaguer to reach 20 home runs and 20 stolen bases this season and joined the 20/20 club faster than any Cub in any season.
“It’s just an honor to be able to do that,” Crow-Armstrong said after the Cubs’ 8-7 loss to the Brewers.
The previous Cubs record holder was Sammy Sosa, who set the bar for fewest individual games (96) in 1994 and team games (100) in 1995, according to team historian Ed Hartig.
It was Crow-Armstrong’s 73rd game and the team’s 74th.
Only three players have reached the 20/20 mark in fewer games: Eric Davis in 46 games (1987), Jose Canseco in 68 (1998) and Fernando Tatis Jr. in 71 (2021).
“It’s one thing to have special talent; it’s another to go out there and do it,” shortstop Dansby Swanson said. “That’s just been such a really cool thing, to be able to play with a guy that’s electric in every way, shape or form. And just the consistency that he’s been doing it has also been just as impressive.”
Crow-Armstrong’s two-run blast off Brewers star Freddy Peralta gave the Cubs a 2-1 lead in the first inning.
“It’s really cool to see him just step into that role, become a star,” said Cubs starting pitcher Jameson Taillon, who allowed five runs in four innings.
“He’s always had that air about him, but to watch him put in the work, make some adjustments, hit some pretty low lows in the big leagues, and to be able to punch back and become who he is today is a testament to Pete.”
Rotation shuffle
The postponed game Wednesday allowed the Cubs to subtly shuffle their rotation. Taillon, who was originally scheduled to pitch Wednesday, had his start moved back a day.
Left-hander Matthew Boyd, however, is set to remain on his normal six-day schedule and start Friday in the series opener against the Mariners. The Cubs moved rookie Cade Horton to the other side of Boyd, pitching Saturday instead of Thursday as originally scheduled. They have right-hander Colin Rea penciled in for Sunday.
The Cubs will have to decide where to slot in lefty Shota Imanaga (strained left hamstring) when he returns from the injured list. He’s scheduled to make his first rehab start for Triple-A Iowa and third overall Friday, then the Cubs will evaluate the next steps.
Three blasts not enough
Crow-Armstrong’s home run was one of three by the Cubs. Swanson also homered off Peralta, a solo shot in the fourth inning. And switch-hitting Ian Happ hit a two-run blast off left-hander Aaron Ashby in the seventh, putting the first blemishes on Ashby’s previously scoreless season.
The Cubs have hit three or more home runs in 15 games, and they’ve only lost two of those games.