With 2 more homers, the Cubs' Pete Crow-Armstrong makes his MVP case

CHICAGO (AP) — As Pete Crow-Armstrong came up with the bases loaded in the eighth inning, the Wrigley Field crowd chanted “M-V-Pete! M-V-Pete!" — and not for the first time Wednesday night.

The fans serenaded the Chicago star after his first home run, his 43rd to break Billy Williams' Cubs record for left-handed hitters. They made their feelings known after his RBI triple and after his 44th home run.

Even when Crow-Armstrong struck out on five pitches in the eighth, he still received a standing ovation on his way back to the dugout at the end of a 3 for 4 night with three RBIs and three runs in an 8-4 victory over the Atlanta Braves, his seventh multi-home-run game of the season.

With Shohei Ohtani still on the injured list with right biceps inflammation, Crow-Armstrong keeps hitting home runs, closing in on the first 40-40 season in Cubs history, putting the finishing touches on his MVP case, at least as far as Cubs fans are concerned.

“You’re shaking your head in amazement, sometimes,” Cubs manager Craig Counsell said. “In amazement. You know, you don’t get to see this. That’s what I told Alex (Bregman): ‘We don’t get to see things like this.’ You spend your whole life in baseball and you just don’t see this happen on a baseball field.

"You’re grateful to be a part of it. You’re grateful to see things like this. And then you’re grateful the fans get to see a season like this. They’re going to talk about it. They’re going to tell their kids about it. They’re going to tell their grandkids about a season like this.”

Yet as he’s gone from breakthrough player to MVP candidate to MVP favorite, Crow-Armstrong has been unfazed by the pressure, his performance unwavering as the Cubs chase a wild-card spot.

“I keep it pretty simple,” Crow-Armstrong said. “I enjoy just kind of laying low, as I always do and always will. I’ve got a really nice support system.”

Only one home run behind Philadelphia’s Kyle Schwarber for the major league lead, Crow-Armstrong is hitting. 283 with 105 RBIs, 29 doubles and 37 stolen bases to go with Gold Glove-caliber defense in center field.

Crow-Armstrong's breakthrough season at age 24 has him at or near the top of every offensive metric in the NL while also tapping out the vocabulary of Wednesday's winning starter, Shota Imanaga.

“We can always say he's great, or he's excellent, but really there's no words to describe him," Imanaga said through an interpreter. "So I'll think of a new word in English for that.”

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Chicago Cubs' Pete Crow-Armstrong hits a home run during the seventh inning of a baseball game against the Atlanta Braves, Wednesday, Sept. 16, 2026, in Chicago. (AP Photo/Melissa Tamez)

Chicago Cubs' Pete Crow-Armstrong watches the ball during the fifth inning of a baseball game against the Atlanta Braves, Wednesday, Sept. 16, 2026, in Chicago. (AP Photo/Melissa Tamez)

Chicago Cubs' Pete Crow-Armstrong watches his home run during the seventh inning of a baseball game against the Atlanta Braves, Wednesday, Sept. 16, 2026, in Chicago. (AP Photo/Melissa Tamez)

Chicago Cubs' Pete Crow-Armstrong celebrates his home run during the seventh inning of a baseball game against the Atlanta Braves, Wednesday, Sept. 16, 2026, in Chicago. (AP Photo/Melissa Tamez)

Chicago Cubs' Pete Crow-Armstrong, left, celebrates his home run with teammate Michael Busch, right, during the seventh inning of a baseball game against the Atlanta Braves, Wednesday, Sept. 16, 2026, in Chicago. (AP Photo/Melissa Tamez)

PHOENIX (AP) — Jakob Marsee hit a two-run homer and Sandy Alcantara earned his first career save as the Miami Marlins held off the Arizona Diamondbacks 4-3 on Wednesday night.

With the Marlins (76-77) on the fringe of the National League playoff race, manager Clayton McCullough called on his ace starter for the ninth inning — two days after Alcantara threw 101 pitches in a no-decision at Arizona.

Alcantara, who leads the majors with 206 innings pitched this season, got two deep flyouts before walking Lars Nootbaar. Pinch-runner Jordan Lawlar attempted to steal second but was thrown out by catcher Joe Mack to end it.

The Diamondbacks (80-73) fell 3 1/2 games behind San Diego for the final NL wild card with nine remaining.

Marsee connected for his 11th homer in the third against Merrill Kelly (9-14) with Javier Sanoja on base. Marsee also doubled to start Miami’s two-run second inning. The Marlins eventually loaded the bases and Heriberto Hernández drove in a run with an infield single. Another run scored on third baseman Nolan Arenado’s throwing error.

Hernández had four of Miami's 10 hits.

Pavin Smith, Gabriel Moreno and Arenado homered for Arizona. Moreno had three hits to raise his batting average to .307; the Phillies' Luis Arraez leads the National League at .316.

Kelly, making his 200th major league start, lasted 4 2/3 innings. He gave up seven hits and four runs (three earned) with two walks and nine strikeouts.

Ryne Nelson, just activated from the 60-day injured list, pitched 1 1/3 scoreless innings in his first appearance since June 15. He had been sidelined with a strained right elbow.

Marlins starter Ryan Gusto also didn’t make it out of the fifth, allowing eight hits and two runs. Cade Gibson (5-1) got five outs for the win.

Alcantara has made 201 big league starts. His eight previous relief appearances all came as a rookie with St. Louis in 2017.

Marlins: Following a day off, RHP Tyler Phillips (5-6, 3.55 ERA) starts Friday in San Diego.

Diamondbacks: Begin a three-game series Friday against the New York Yankees at Chase Field.

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Miami Marlins shortstop Otto Lopez, left, celebrates after tagging out Arizona Diamondbacks' Jordan Lawlar during the ninth inning of a baseball game, Wednesday, Sept. 16, 2026, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)

Miami Marlins' Jakob Marsee, left, celebrates his two-run home run against the Arizona Diamondbacks with Marlins' Deyvison De Los Santos during the third inning of a baseball game, Wednesday, Sept. 16, 2026, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)

Arizona Diamondbacks' Gabriel Moreno rounds the bases after hitting a home run against the Miami Marlins during the fifth inning of a baseball game, Wednesday, Sept. 16, 2026, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)

Miami Marlins' Jakob Marsee, right, celebrates his two-run home run with Marlins' Javier Sanoja (8) as Arizona Diamondbacks catcher Gabriel Moreno, left, pauses at home plate during the third inning of a baseball game, Wednesday, Sept. 16, 2026, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)

Miami Marlins pitcher Sandy Alcantara, left, celebrates a win against the Arizona Diamondbacks with Marlins manager Clayton McCullough after a baseball game, Wednesday, Sept. 16, 2026, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)

Miami Marlins pitcher Sandy Alcantara throws against the Arizona Diamondbacks in the first inning of a baseball game, Monday, Sept 14, 2026, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)