Cubs star Pete Crow-Armstrong hits for first cycle of 2026

CHICAGO — Cubs center fielder Pete Crow-Armstrong on Monday night became the first player in the majors to hit for the cycle this season.

Crow-Armstrong homered to lead off the game against the Colorado Rockies, then hit a triple in the third inning, a double in the fifth and a single in the seventh. His first three hits came off Rockies starter Michael Lorenzen, the final one off reliever Antonio Senzatela.

Despite the accomplishment, the 24-year-old was upset with himself for getting picked off immediately following his base hit to reach the cycle.

“I did everything I could to help the team but I also had a real lapse in focus and that really could have hurt us tonight,” Crow-Armstrong said after the Cubs rallied with two runs in the ninth inning for a 5-4 win. “I know it’s a rare feat. Hard to answer questions like those when the game just ended and I’m processing a lot.”

Crow-Armstrong is the first player to accomplish the feat since Twins center fielder Byron Buxton last July and first Cubs player since teammate Carson Kelly last March. He’s the 13th player in franchise history to hit for the cycle and the youngest since Randy Hundley in 1966.

“I’m proud of myself for the work I’ve been doing over the last few weeks, over the course of the year, really,” Crow-Armstrong said.

Crow-Armstrong has been red hot lately, collecting 13 hits in his past six games — including the four Monday. Of those 13, eight have gone for extra bases. His OPS rose to .845 after achieving the cycle.

“A cycle is pretty up there as far as ceilings go,” teammate Matt Shaw said. “I think he showed everything that he can do, just in one game.”

The Cubs erased a 4-3 deficit in the ninth inning, with Shaw scoring the winning run on a bases-loaded walk. It was Chicago’s ninth walk-off win, most in MLB. No other team has more than six walk-off victories.

The Cubs have been struggling to win games on a consistent basis for well over a month, already losing a series to Colorado last week. Their last three wins at Wrigley Field have all been walk-offs.

“We haven’t been producing like we are so capable of doing,” Crow-Armstrong said.

This was the second time in three games Crow-Armstrong had a chance at the cycle after singling, doubling and homering Saturday against the San Francisco Giants.

This time he completed the deal, becoming the fourth player in the divisional era (since 1969) to complete the cycle in reverse order: home run, triple, double, single.

“It was cool,” he said of the standing ovation he received from the crowd, which he responded to by doffing his helmet. “I appreciated the reception from the stadium.

“I absolutely put up great at-bats tonight … but you saw it tonight. The game is not over until it’s over.”