The Chicago Cubs produced one of the most unusual offensive performances of the 2026 season Wednesday night, with Pete Crow-Armstrong and Alex Bregman making MLB history while leading Chicago to an 8-4 victory over the Atlanta Braves at Wrigley Field. The two Cubs stars each recorded a home run, a triple and at least three extra-base hits, becoming the first pair of teammates in nearly 70 years to accomplish the rare feat in the same game.
The last time two teammates produced such a combination in one game was in 1958, when Willie Mays and Daryl Spencer did it for the San Francisco Giants. More than six decades later, Crow-Armstrong and Bregman put their names alongside that unusual piece of MLB history during a game that also strengthened Chicago’s position in the National League postseason race.
Crow-Armstrong was particularly spectacular. The 23-year-old center fielder launched two home runs, collected a triple and continued what has become a remarkable breakout season. His first homer, a 376-foot solo shot in the third inning, was his 43rd of the season and moved him past Cubs Hall of Famer Billy Williams for the franchise record for home runs by a left-handed hitter. Williams had hit 42 in 1970.
Crow-Armstrong then added another home run in the seventh inning, giving him 44 for the season and his 13th career multi-homer game. The second blast also moved him within one home run of Philadelphia Phillies slugger Kyle Schwarber, who entered the game with 45 and led the majors.
But the home runs were only part of Crow-Armstrong’s extraordinary night. In the fifth inning, he ripped a triple into the right-field corner, bringing Carson Kelly home and extending Chicago’s lead. His combination of power and speed helped push the Cubs away from Atlanta and gave him another historic offensive performance at a critical point in the season.
Bregman nearly completes the cycle
Bregman was just as dangerous throughout the night. The veteran third baseman finished 3-for-4 with a double, home run, triple and four RBIs, coming remarkably close to hitting for the cycle.
He started the scoring in the first inning when his RBI double brought Michael Busch home. Bregman then opened the fourth inning with his 26th home run of the season, pushing Chicago’s lead to 3-0.
His biggest hit came in the fifth. After Crow-Armstrong tripled to make it 4-0, Bregman followed with another triple that scored both Crow-Armstrong and Seiya Suzuki. The two triples in the same inning were another unusual part of the Cubs’ offensive display. Chicago had not recorded two triples in a single inning at Wrigley Field since 2011.
Bregman then came to the plate in the seventh needing only a single to complete the cycle. Instead, he flew out to center field, leaving him one hit short of the accomplishment. He joked afterward that he had tried to change his approach while pursuing the cycle and acknowledged how difficult it would have been to complete it.
Crow-Armstrong continues rewriting Cubs history
Crow-Armstrong’s performance was significant beyond the rare teammate accomplishment. His two homers and triple gave him at least 10 total bases in a game for the 10th time in his career. According to MLB, that is three more such games than any other player before turning 25 since at least 1900. Only Billy Williams and Sammy Sosa, with 12 each, have more 10-total-base games in Cubs history.
He also tied Nelson Cruz for the most games with at least 10 total bases in a single MLB season since at least 1900, with six. His 44 home runs and 37 stolen bases have also placed him within striking distance of a remarkable 40-homer, 40-steal season. If he reaches 40 steals, he would become only the seventh player in MLB history to produce a 40-40 season.
His production has also strengthened his standing in the National League MVP conversation. MLB reported that Crow-Armstrong had reached 10.4 WAR, while his combination of power, speed and defense has made him one of the most important players on Chicago’s roster.
Imanaga quietly delivers another important start
While Crow-Armstrong and Bregman grabbed the headlines, Shota Imanaga provided the pitching performance Chicago needed. The left-hander allowed only one run over six innings, giving up four hits while striking out eight and walking nobody.
Imanaga initially faced some trouble, allowing three hits during the first two innings. He then completely settled down, retiring 11 consecutive Atlanta hitters before Ronald Acuña Jr. opened the sixth inning with a double. Acuña eventually scored on a groundout, but Imanaga finished the inning by striking out Ozzie Albies for his eighth strikeout.
The performance earned Imanaga his third consecutive victory and improved his record to 11-10. He has also been considerably better during his recent stretch, recording a 2.00 ERA and 16 strikeouts over his last three starts, according to local Cubs coverage.
That recent improvement could become important if Chicago reaches October. With the Cubs positioning themselves for the postseason, Imanaga’s ability to provide six strong innings could make him an important part of their playoff pitching plans.
Cubs take control against Atlanta
Chicago’s offense produced 12 hits against Atlanta pitching, with the Cubs particularly damaging against Braves starter J.R. Ritchie. The rookie allowed six runs on seven hits across 4⅔ innings, striking out five and walking two. It was his first major-league appearance since Aug. 2.
The Braves entered the night with an opportunity to clinch a postseason berth with a victory and favorable results elsewhere. Instead, they were unable to contain Chicago’s lineup and fell to 89-64. Atlanta has now lost three of its last four games.
The Braves did produce some late offense, scoring three runs after Chicago had built an 8-1 advantage. Mauricio Dubón drove in two runs with a ninth-inning double, while Sean Murphy added another run with a groundout. But the late rally was not enough to seriously threaten the Cubs’ lead.
Cubs strengthen their Wild Card position
The victory also carried major postseason significance for Chicago. The Cubs improved to 85-68 and maintained a half-game lead over the Philadelphia Phillies for the National League’s top Wild Card position. Chicago also owns the season-series tiebreaker against Philadelphia after winning six of seven meetings.
The Cubs’ postseason picture received another potential boost Wednesday when shortstop Dansby Swanson took six at-bats in a simulated game. Swanson has been out since Aug. 16 with a left oblique strain, but manager Craig Counsell said he remained on schedule to return Friday. His return would give Chicago another experienced player as the regular season enters its final stretch.
For Chicago, Wednesday’s victory therefore represented much more than another win. Crow-Armstrong continued his historic individual campaign, Bregman delivered one of his most complete offensive performances of the season, Imanaga provided six strong innings and the Cubs strengthened their position in the NL Wild Card race.
The most remarkable part, however, was the rare combination produced by Crow-Armstrong and Bregman. Two teammates hitting home runs and triples while collecting three extra-base hits apiece in the same game is something MLB had not witnessed from teammates since Mays and Spencer accomplished it in 1958.
And with Crow-Armstrong still chasing both the home-run lead and a potential 40-40 season, the Cubs’ young star appears to be adding another chapter to what has already become one of the most memorable individual seasons in recent franchise history.
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