PCA Walk-Off Show: Cubs Take Crosstown Classic in 10th-Inning Fireworks

CHICAGO — In a game that had everything—leadoff bombs, a ninth-inning tie, and chaos in the 10th—Pete Crow-Armstrong saved his biggest swing for last.

With the automatic runner on second, PCA crushed a 2-1 slider from Hagen Smith into the right-field patio. His first career walk-off homer. His 30th dinger of the season. And the capper on a night that also featured a leadoff blast, a 4-for-5 showing, and the exclamation point on a second straight 30-30 season.

Early Fireworks

Crow-Armstrong wasted no time, taking Luis Castillo's first pitch of the game deep down the right-field line—his fifth leadoff homer of the year. Four pitches later, Seiya Suzuki launched one to deep left-center, and just like that, the Cubs were up 2-0.

But the White Sox had responses. Randal Grichuk’s three-run homer in the fourth flipped the script and put the visitors on top. Then in the eighth, pinch-hitter Andrew Benintendi sent Ryan Zeferjahn’s first offering into the right-field basket for a two-run shot, making it 5-4.

The Comeback

The Cubs refused to fold. Nico Hoerner’s RBI single in the ninth tied it up and sent the Crosstown Classic into extras.

In the top of the 10th, Jacob Webb escaped a bases-loaded jam to give the Cubs life. One pitch later, Crow-Armstrong made it a walk-off moment for the ages.

Shota Imanaga was dealing early, allowing just three runs on two hits while striking out 10 in six innings—one off his season high. The win halted a two-game skid for the Cubs while ending the White Sox’s three-game winning streak.

Up Next

RHP Kevin Gausman (6-11, 4.53 ERA) takes the bump for the Cubs on Tuesday. The White Sox had not named a starter.