Wearing their Blues Alternate 2 uniforms, the Chicago Cubs had plenty to celebrate on Friday during their 13–3 rout of the crosstown rival Chicago White Sox, not least of which was the first major league hit for Moises Ballesteros. Recently called up to the big league roster after Ian Happ was sidelined with an oblique strain and placed on the injured list, Ballesteros made the most of his opportunity by going 1-for-4 with a hit, two runs scored, and a pair of RBIs—marking a promising debut that suggests he may be ready to step beyond his Triple-A past and make an impact at the major league level. On the pitching side, rookie Cade Horton showed flashes of excellence, relying heavily on his fastball and pitching five innings, but he was ultimately tagged for three runs—all of which came off the bat of Miguel Vargas, who had Horton’s number with two home runs and three RBIs. Despite Vargas’s offensive burst, Horton managed to keep the damage contained and left the game in solid standing.
Offensively, the Cubs wasted no time getting on the board. In fact, they erupted for six runs in the second inning alone, setting the tone early and never looking back. A major part of the offensive explosion came courtesy of Pete Crow-Armstrong, who turned in a career-best performance that left fans buzzing. Going 4-for-5 at the plate, PCA launched a home run and drove in six RBIs, cementing his role as a rising star and consistent contributor in the Cubs’ current surge to first place. While the wind and some questionable White Sox defense certainly played a role in inflating the numbers, Crow-Armstrong’s bat did the heavy lifting and showed why he’s considered one of the franchise’s most exciting young talents.
Supporting the offensive onslaught, four other Cubs players recorded multi-hit games: Kyle Tucker, Seiya Suzuki, Carson Kelly, and Nico Hoerner. Together, Tucker, Suzuki, and Kelly have already combined for 29 home runs this season, contributing significantly to the team’s offensive success. Meanwhile, Hoerner continues to prove his value without relying on power hitting—his presence and consistency in the lineup only bolster his status as one of the Cubs’ most dependable players. As the team continues its push atop the standings, Friday’s game offered not only a blowout victory but a glimpse at the bright future of its rising stars like Ballesteros and Crow-Armstrong.
