Crow-Armstrong's Historic Cycle
Cubs Outfielder Pete Crow-Armstrong Achieves MLB's First Cycle This Season, Joins Rare Club
Chicago Cubs center fielder Pete Crow-Armstrong became the first MLB player to hit for the cycle in 2026, going 4-for-4 with a home run, triple, double, and single in a dramatic 5-4 walk-off win over the Colorado Rockies at Wrigley Field on June 15 Associated Press. The 24-year-old completed the rare "reverse natural cycle" — hitting in descending order from homer to single — a feat only 10 other players in MLB history had pulled off before him FantasyPros.
The moment of triumph came with an instant twist. Crow-Armstrong lined a 1-1 fastball to right field for his cycle-clinching single in the seventh inning — then was immediately picked off first base by Rockies reliever Brennan Bernardino while the Wrigley crowd of 40,000 was still on its feet Larry Brown Sports. Cubs manager Craig Counsell put it bluntly: "My excitement was a little short-lived" Associated Press.
A Home Run to Start, a Single to Finish
Crow-Armstrong wasted no time. He led off the bottom of the first with a 434-foot solo home run to center field off Rockies starter Michael Lorenzen Associated Press. He followed with a triple off the wall in the third, a double down the right-field line in the fifth, and then the cycle-clinching single in the seventh. Four plate appearances. Four extra-base hits or better. All he needed was one of each.
After the pick-off deflated the inning, Crow-Armstrong still made his presence felt. He hit a sacrifice fly in the eighth to pull the Cubs within one Daily Journal. The Cubs then rallied in the ninth — rookie Pedro Ramirez tied the game with an RBI single and Matt Shaw drew a bases-loaded walk to win it — capping the Cubs' ninth walk-off victory of the season Bleacher Nation.
A Historic Rarity in Cubs and MLB History
This was the 13th cycle in Cubs franchise history. It was the first at Wrigley Field since Mark Grace hit for the cycle on May 9, 1993 FOX Sports. Only two Cubs center fielders have ever done it: Crow-Armstrong in 2026 and Hall of Famer Hack Wilson back on June 23, 1930 Associated Press. The last MLB cycle before this one was by Byron Buxton of the Minnesota Twins on July 12, 2025 FantasyPros.
The "reverse natural cycle" — home run, triple, double, single in that order — is especially rare. Only 10 players in MLB history had done it before Crow-Armstrong. The last was Rajai Davis in 2016 FantasyPros. Crow-Armstrong himself seemed to feel the weight of the moment. "Earlier, it probably made me a little nervous," he said. "I felt like I 'had to' instead of 'I get to' hit in this really cool moment" Associated Press.
Crow-Armstrong Is the Hottest Hitter in Baseball Right Now
The cycle is the peak of a stunning three-week stretch for Crow-Armstrong. Since May 26, he has raised his batting average from .223 to .277 and his OPS from .674 to .844 FantasyPros. In June alone, he is slashing .436/.475/.836 with 6 home runs and 9 RBIs in 55 at-bats. He also carries a 19-game on-base streak dating back to May 26 Daily Journal.
Crow-Armstrong leads the Cubs in batting average among qualified hitters at .263 MLB.com. Fantasy analysts at FantasyPros have called him "the hottest hitter in the game right now." Already a 2025 All-Star and Gold Glove winner, he is now considered a front-runner for the 2026 All-Star Game as well MLB.com.
Cubs Survive a Near-Collapse to Stay in the Race
The win was not clean. Colorado's Cole Carrigg hit a three-run homer in the eighth to give the Rockies a 4-2 lead and nearly erase Crow-Armstrong's historic night Bleacher Nation. Before the ninth-inning rally, the Cubs' middle of the order went 0-for-9 with runners in scoring position. Cubs starter Shota Imanaga gave up just one run over 5.2 innings, but the bullpen nearly gave it away Big News Network.
The victory moved the Cubs to 38-35, keeping them within reach of the NL Central-leading Milwaukee Brewers, who sit at 43-26 StatMuse. The Rockies' broadcast crew was not kind after the pick-off, quipping "See ya. Enjoy the ovation" as Crow-Armstrong was thrown out Larry Brown Sports. For Chicago, though, a ninth walk-off win covered a lot of sins.
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