Cubs Rally for a Thrilling 13-6 Victory Over Reds, Fueled by Pete Crow-Armstrong's Grand Slam
In an electrifying contest at Great American Ball Park, the Chicago Cubs orchestrated a remarkable comeback, defeating the Cincinnati Reds 13-6 on May 23. The game featured a series of dramatic plays, including two home runs from Pete Crow-Armstrong, one of which was a grand slam that shifted the momentum in the Cubs' favor.
The Reds initially seized control, scoring three runs in the first inning. Santiago Espinal's single, coupled with a throwing error by Cubs pitcher Matthew Boyd, allowed TJ Friedl to score the first run. Austin Hays followed with an RBI single, and Spencer Steer doubled to bring Hays home, making it 3-0 early on. Steer added another RBI in the third, extending the Reds' lead to 4-0.
The Cubs began their comeback in the fourth when Pete Crow-Armstrong launched a two-run homer to right-center field, scoring Seiya Suzuki and narrowing the gap to 4-2. However, the Reds responded in the fifth with Tyler Stephenson's RBI double and TJ Friedl's single, pushing their lead back to 6-2.
The turning point arrived in the seventh inning. Kyle Tucker's two-run single brought the Cubs closer, making it 6-4. Then, with the bases loaded, Pete Crow-Armstrong stepped up and delivered a go-ahead grand slam, sending the Cubs into the lead at 8-6. The home run was initially reviewed but ultimately upheld, igniting the Cubs' dugout and silencing the Cincinnati crowd.
Pete Crow-Armstrong's go-ahead grand slam
The Cubs continued to pile on in the eighth, with Seiya Suzuki hitting a three-run homer, extending the lead to 11-6. Dansby Swanson added a final flourish in the ninth with a two-run home run, sealing the Cubs' victory at 13-6.
Chris Flexen earned the win for the Cubs, pitching 1.1 scoreless innings, while Tony Santillan took the loss for the Reds. The game lasted 3 hours and 26 minutes, with an attendance of 30,120 at Great American Ball Park.
Game Highlights
- Pete Crow-Armstrong's two home runs, including a grand slam, drove in six runs.
- Seiya Suzuki contributed a three-run homer in the eighth inning.
- Dansby Swanson added a two-run homer in the ninth.
- Kyle Tucker's two-run single in the seventh helped spark the Cubs' comeback.
- Matthew Shaw made a fantastic diving stop and throw at third base.
Seiya Suzuki's three-run home run
Key Players Statistics
Chicago Cubs:
- Ian Happ: 1-4, 2 R, 1 BB, 3 SO
- Kyle Tucker: 1-5, 1 R, 2 RBI
- Seiya Suzuki: 3-5, 3 R, 3 RBI
- Pete Crow-Armstrong: 3-5, 2 R, 6 RBI
- Dansby Swanson: 1-4, 1 R, 2 RBI, 1 BB, 1 SO
- Nico Hoerner: 3-5, 2 R
Cincinnati Reds:
- TJ Friedl: 2-5, 1 R, 1 RBI
- Spencer Steer: 3-5, 1 R, 1 RBI
- Tyler Stephenson: 1-4, 1 R, 1 RBI, 1 BB, 3 SO
Scoring Plays
The game was filled with scoring plays, demonstrating the offensive capabilities of both teams:
- Bottom 1st: Santiago Espinal singled, TJ Friedl scored (1-0 CIN)
- Bottom 1st: Austin Hays singled, Santiago Espinal scored (2-0 CIN)
- Bottom 1st: Spencer Steer doubled, Elly De La Cruz scored (3-0 CIN)
- Bottom 3rd: Spencer Steer lined out, Will Benson scored (4-0 CIN)
- Top 4th: Pete Crow-Armstrong homered, Seiya Suzuki scored (4-2 CIN)
- Bottom 5th: Tyler Stephenson doubled, Spencer Steer scored (5-2 CIN)
- Bottom 5th: TJ Friedl singled, Tyler Stephenson scored (6-2 CIN)
- Top 7th: Kyle Tucker singled, Nico Hoerner and Matt Shaw scored (6-4 CIN)
- Top 7th: Pete Crow-Armstrong grand slam (8-6 CHC)
- Top 8th: Seiya Suzuki homered, Nico Hoerner and Ian Happ scored (11-6 CHC)
- Top 9th: Dansby Swanson homered, Carson Kelly scored (13-6 CHC)
Pitching Details
Cubs:
- Matthew Boyd: 4.0 IP, 8 H, 4 R, 4 ER, 2 BB, 3 SO
- Chris Flexen (W): 1.1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 0 BB, 0 SO
Reds:
- Hunter Greene: 4.0 IP, 3 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 2 BB, 2 SO
- Tony Santillan (L): 0.0 IP, 3 H, 3 R, 3 ER, 1 BB, 0 SO
Additional Game Information
- Weather: 65 degrees, Partly Cloudy, Wind 8 mph Out To LF
- Game Time: 3:26
- Attendance: 30,120
- Venue: Great American Ball Park

Cubs and Reds Line Score
The Cubs' victory was a testament to their resilience and offensive power, led by outstanding performances from Pete Crow-Armstrong and Seiya Suzuki. The Reds, despite a strong start, couldn't contain the Cubs' late-game surge.
More Highlights
Here are some more video highlights from the game:
- Spencer Steer's RBI double
- Tyler Stephenson's RBI double
- Matt Shaw's diving stop and throw
- Kyle Tucker's two-run single
- Dansby Swanson's two-run home run
- Pete Crow-Armstrong's two-homer game
The Chicago Cubs showcased their determination and power, securing a memorable victory over the Cincinnati Reds. With standout performances from key players and a resilient team effort, the Cubs have solidified their position as a force to be reckoned with this season.