Matt Shaw hit a slow-roller to Geraldo Perdomo at shortstop with two outs and two runners on as the Cubs were clinging to a 4-3 lead in the fifth inning against the Diamondbacks. Ultimately, Miguel Amaya cashed in with a three-run double that put the Cubs safely ahead on Opening Day, but it was Pete Crow-Armstrong who had the most important play of that two-out rally.
See, although Perdomo had no issues fielding Shaw's grounder, he assumed that he'd get the easy force at second base to end the inning. Well, Cubs fans were treated to yet another superb base-running display from PCA.
Taking off on Shaw's swing, PCA beat out Perdomo's toss to second base, loading the bases and keeping the inning alive for Amaya. You can have all the speed in the world, but if you're not hustling it could be the difference between being safe or out. PCA wasn't leaving any doubt.
Pete Crow-Armstrong hustles into second base to beat the throw and keep the 5th inning alive pic.twitter.com/XktSG6mkJM
— Cubs Highlights (@Cubs_Highlights) March 28, 2025
And in case you didn't catch Crow-Armstrong's message after he was called safe at second.
"Right f***ing now. Let's go." — Pete Crow-Armstrong pic.twitter.com/nvx1Z2K9gc
— Brendan Miller (@brendan_cubs) March 28, 2025
Remember, at that point the Cubs only had a one-run lead and as we saw later in the game it wasn't like the bullpen was shutting down the Diamondbacks' offense. So, without PCA's hustle there is no big hit from Amaya in the fifth.
Miguel Amaya clears the bases with a three-run double, extending the Cubs' lead to 7-3 in the 5th inning pic.twitter.com/6lRXtji4xP
— Cubs Highlights (@Cubs_Highlights) March 28, 2025
You absolutely love the hustle, the fire, the spark, the swag, everything about Pete Crow-Armstrong on that play. He's special. He has the it-factor. He has the potential to be a difference-maker in 2025 and hopefully for many, many more years on the Cubs.
And how about Amaya, who drove in five runs in Thursday's 10-6 win. They were all big by the way. The three-run double increased the Cubs lead to four and then in the ninth inning Amaya drove in two more with his second double of the night, giving Chicago a five-run cushion.
Miguel Amaya plates two with a double to left field, extending the Cubs' lead to 10-5 in the 9th inning pic.twitter.com/ofW7xzRgox
— Cubs Highlights (@Cubs_Highlights) March 28, 2025
Ian Happ obviously deserves his flowers as he reached base three times, recording two hits, hitting a home run, drawing a walk, scoring twice and driving in three runs out of the leadoff spot. Yet, he was set-up nicely by the bottom half of the lineup that was led by Amaya.
The Cubs' 6-9 hitters reached base nine times against the Diamondbacks.
Nico Hoerner: 2-for-4, BB, R, RBI
Pete Crow-Armstrong: 1-for-4, BB, 2 R
Matt Shaw: 1-for-4, BB, 3 R
Miguel Amaya: 2-for-5, 5 RBI
