Cubs Rally Over Reds: Crow-Armstrong's Slam & Suzuki's Homer Power Epic 13-6 Win
In a thrilling matchup on May 23, 2025, the Chicago Cubs overcame an early deficit to defeat the Cincinnati Reds 13-6. The game, played at Great American Ball Park, featured a series of dramatic plays, including a grand slam by Pete Crow-Armstrong and a three-run homer by Seiya Suzuki, propelling the Cubs to a decisive victory.
The Reds initially took a commanding lead, scoring three runs in the first inning against Cubs starter Matthew Boyd. Santiago Espinal's single, combined with a throwing error by Boyd, allowed TJ Friedl to score the first run. Austin Hays followed with an RBI single, and Spencer Steer added an RBI double, making it 3-0 early on. The Reds extended their lead to 4-0 in the third when Steer lined out, allowing another run to score.
However, the Cubs began their comeback in the fourth inning when Pete Crow-Armstrong hit a two-run homer, bringing Seiya Suzuki home and narrowing the gap to 4-2. The Reds responded in the fifth, with Tyler Stephenson's RBI double and TJ Friedl's single pushing the score to 6-2.
The game's turning point came in the seventh inning. Kyle Tucker's single drove in Nico Hoerner and Matt Shaw, closing the score to 6-4. Then, with the bases loaded, Pete Crow-Armstrong blasted a grand slam to right field, giving the Cubs an 8-6 lead. The play was reviewed but ultimately upheld, marking a significant moment in the game.
Seiya Suzuki extended the Cubs' lead in the eighth with a three-run homer, making it 11-6. Dansby Swanson added another two runs in the ninth with a home run of his own, sealing the Cubs' 13-6 victory.
Chris Flexen earned the win for the Cubs, while Tony Santillan took the loss for the Reds. The game ended at 9:11 PM, marking a memorable night for Cubs fans.
Key Highlights and Plays
- Pete Crow-Armstrong's Grand Slam: His go-ahead grand slam in the seventh inning shifted the momentum, turning a 6-4 deficit into an 8-6 lead.
- Seiya Suzuki's Three-Run Homer: Suzuki's home run in the eighth inning extended the Cubs' lead, securing their victory.
- Dansby Swanson's Two-Run Homer: Swanson's homer in the ninth added insurance runs, finalizing the score at 13-6.
- Matt Shaw's Defensive Gem: Shaw's diving stop and throw at third base showcased the Cubs' defensive prowess.
- TJ Friedl's Sliding Catch: Friedl's impressive catch in center field was a standout defensive play for the Reds.
Game Statistics
Line Score
| 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | R | H | E | LOB | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| CHC | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 6 | 3 | 2 | 13 | 13 | 2 | 5 |
| CIN | 3 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 6 | 13 | 0 | 11 |
Batting Statistics
Cincinnati Reds
| Player | AB | R | H | RBI | BB | SO | BA |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Friedl | 5 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 1 | .277 |
| Espinal | 4 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | .269 |
| De La Cruz, E | 5 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 2 | .241 |
| Hays | 5 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 0 | .320 |
| Steer | 5 | 1 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 0 | .225 |
| Stephenson, T | 4 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 3 | .186 |
| Trevino | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | .293 |
| Wynns, A | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | .400 |
| Joe | 2 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | .258 |
| Benson | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | .333 |
| McLain, M | 4 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | .174 |
Chicago Cubs
| Player | AB | R | H | RBI | BB | SO | BA |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Happ | 4 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 3 | .259 |
| Tucker | 5 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 1 | .276 |
| Suzuki | 5 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 0 | 1 | .262 |
| Crow-Armstrong | 5 | 2 | 3 | 6 | 0 | 0 | .287 |
| Kelly, C | 4 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | .287 |
| Busch | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | .253 |
| Swanson | 4 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 1 | .262 |
| Hoerner | 5 | 2 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | .296 |
| Shaw | 5 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | .203 |
Pitching Statistics
Cincinnati Reds
| Pitcher | IP | H | R | ER | BB | SO | ERA |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Greene, H | 4.0 | 3 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2.54 |
| Barlow, S | 1.1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 4.15 |
| Rogers, Ta | 0.2 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1.42 |
| Gibaut | 0.1 | 2 | 3 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 7.11 |
| Santillan | 0.0 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 2.63 |
| Suter | 1.2 | 2 | 3 | 3 | 1 | 2 | 2.63 |
| Mey | 1.0 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 3.27 |
Chicago Cubs
| Pitcher | IP | H | R | ER | BB | SO | ERA |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Boyd | 4.0 | 8 | 4 | 4 | 2 | 3 | 3.42 |
| Merryweather | 0.2 | 3 | 2 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 5.79 |
| Flexen | 1.1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0.00 |
| Keller, B | 1.0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 2.59 |
| Pomeranz | 1.0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0.00 |
| Pressly | 1.0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 5.40 |
Related Content
For more details on player stats, game highlights, and team information, visit the official MLB website: MLB.com.
Additional Game Information
- Winning Pitcher: Chris Flexen (2-0, 0.00 ERA)
- Losing Pitcher: Tony Santillan (0-1, 2.63 ERA)
- Game Time: 3:26
- Attendance: 30,120
- Wind: 8 mph, Out To LF
- Weather: 65 degrees, Partly Cloudy
Stay tuned for more updates and analysis on the Cubs and the MLB season!