Pete Crow-Armstrong scored the game-tying run in the bottom of the ninth inning during the Chicago Cubs’ comeback win. The sequence wasn’t entirely smooth.
Crow-Armstrong led off the final frame with a triple as the Cubs trailed the Cincinnati Reds 4-3.
Tension in the Dugout After Near Miss
Nico Hoerner then hit a fly ball to left field with one out. Crow-Armstrong, known for his speed, was sent home on a sacrifice fly.
He crossed the plate standing, but he nearly got thrown out and should have slid. The player in the on-deck circle is responsible for telling the runner whether to slide. Matt Shaw was in the on-deck circle, and Crow-Armstrong reacted to his signalling in the dugout.
The broadcast caught Crow-Armstrong getting animated with Shaw, indicating that Shaw’s signaling wasn’t good enough. This nearly led to a disaster on the play.
Crow-Armstrong was letting the second-year player know he needed to be bolder in that situation, but was by no means disrespectful.
Conforto Seals the Victory
Matt Shaw didn’t get an opportunity to potentially win the game. Michael Conforto stepped in to pinch-hit for him, which turned out to be the correct move from Chicago manager Craig Counsell.
Conforto launched a fastball to left-center field for the walk-off home run to give the Cubs a 5-4 victory and extend their winning streak to six games. It was Conforto’s first long ball of the season.
Dating back to April 14, the Cubs have won 16 of their last 19 games. Surprisingly, they only hold a two-game lead in the National League Central standings.