Pete Crow-Armstrong goes off on umpires as Cubs lose 2 of 3 to D-backs

Key Points:

• Chicago Cubs center fielder Pete Crow-Armstrong was frustrated after a missed balk call by umpires during a 2-0 loss to the Arizona Diamondbacks, which would have allowed a go-ahead run. Despite protests from Crow-Armstrong, third base coach Quentin Berry, and manager Craig Counsell, the call stood, though umpires later admitted the mistake.
• Crow-Armstrong expressed anger at both the umpires for missing an obvious infraction and himself for struggling offensively in the series, going 1-for-12 with three strikeouts. His frustration reflected the Cubs' overall offensive struggles during the series.
• The Cubs lost four of six games on their recent road trip, including close losses despite strong pitching performances from Kevin Gausman, Clay Holmes, and Matthew Boyd. Offensively, key players like Alex Bregman, Nico Hoerner, and Crow-Armstrong underperformed significantly.
• Despite the setbacks, the Cubs hold a solid position in the playoff race with a 76-58 record, a four-game lead in the wild-card standings, and a chance to host the first round. However, they face a challenging task to overcome a six-game deficit to the Milwaukee Brewers for the NL Central title, with seven head-to-head games scheduled in early September.
• Manager Craig Counsell emphasized the importance of moving past mistakes quickly and focusing on the next game, highlighting the competitive and fast-paced nature of Major League Baseball.