Pete Crow-Armstrong hit for the cycle in reverse order during the Chicago Cubs’ 5-4 walk-off victory over the Colorado Rockies on Monday, June 15, 2026, at Wrigley Field, according to multiple reports.
The Cycle in Reverse Order
Crow-Armstrong, the Cubs’ center fielder, became the 13th player in franchise history to hit for the cycle, completing it in reverse order—home run, triple, double, single—according to the Cubs historian Ed Hartig. The feat marked the first time a Cubs player achieved a cycle in such a sequence since Andre Dawson in 1987, per MLB.com. Crow-Armstrong’s performance included a 434-foot leadoff home run in the first inning, a triple in the third, a double in the fifth, and a single in the seventh, which he later got picked off first base, according to Bleacher Report.
The game was not without drama. After Crow-Armstrong’s single in the seventh, the Cubs were leading 4-2, but the Rockies took a 4-3 lead in the eighth inning on a three-run homer by Cole Carrigg. Crow-Armstrong responded with a sacrifice fly in the eighth to keep the Cubs within striking distance, a moment that manager Craig Counsell called his favorite at-bat of the night, as reported by The New York Times.
Manager’s Perspective on Growth
Counsell praised Crow-Armstrong’s composure after the game, noting the 24-year-old’s “more controlled” approach at the plate. “There’s a lot of taking balls, taking his moments when he has them. He’s obviously making hard contact,” the manager said, as quoted in The New York Times. Crow-Armstrong acknowledged his own lapse in focus after being picked off first base but emphasized his ability to “pick myself up, but pick my teammates up as well.”
For more on this story, see Pete Crow-Armstrong Powers Cubs to 6-1 Victory Over Cardinals With Four Hits.
Crow-Armstrong’s performance also underscored his value to a struggling Cubs team. Entering the game, he ranked third in MLB in wins above replacement (4.0) behind Shohei Ohtani and Cristopher Sánchez, per Bleacher Report. His .392/.426/.784 slash line in June further highlighted his consistency, though the Cubs’ offense as a whole faced challenges, with a collective 4.23 ERA in the NL.
Historical Context and Records
Crow-Armstrong’s cycle came just 14 months after Carson Kelly’s, making it the second in franchise history in 2025. The last Cubs player to hit a cycle before Kelly was Mark Grace in 1993, as noted in Bleacher Report. Additionally, Crow-Armstrong became the first Cubs player to complete a cycle within his first four plate appearances since Dawson, per MLB.com.
The game’s outcome was far from certain. The Cubs needed a game-tying RBI single from rookie Pedro Ramírez and a bases-loaded walk from Matt Shaw in the ninth inning to secure the win, as detailed in The New York Times. Despite the late rally, the team’s struggles were evident: they had a 38-35 record overall and a 21-15 home record, with a 4.23 ERA for their pitchers.
What’s Next for the Cubs
The Cubs’ recent performance has been a mixed bag. While Crow-Armstrong’s cycle provided a bright spot, the team’s offense has been plagued by slumps, with a 5-5 record in their last 10 games and a .237 batting average. Injuries have also hampered their depth, with multiple players on the injured list, including Matthew Boyd and Jameson Taillon, according to FOX Sports.
This follows our earlier report, Giants’ Chapman Slugs Home Win.
Counsell’s strategy of leaning on young talent and veteran leadership has shown promise, but the team’s ability to sustain momentum remains uncertain. With the Rockies’ struggles—27-46 overall and 13-26 on the road—there is hope for improvement, though the Cubs’ own challenges, including a 6.65 ERA in their last 10 games, suggest a tough road ahead. As Crow-Armstrong continues to grow, his impact on the Cubs’ fortunes will be a key storyline in the coming weeks.
“The ultimate goal is to win every ballgame that you step out on the field for,” Crow-Armstrong said, per MLB.com. “It’s really easy to highlight the stuff that you’re not so happy about. I absolutely put up great at-bats tonight, and I’m proud of the work that I’ve done.”
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