Pete Crow-Armstrong continued his torrid stretch, hitting two home runs Sunday to finish with five over the final two games of the series. Despite his heroics, the Chicago Cubs dropped their third consecutive series, losing 7-5 to the Cincinnati Reds. The defeat tied the Cubs with the Philadelphia Phillies for the top wild card spot in the National League.

Crow-Armstrong's 14 home runs in August match Alfonso Soriano's total in September 2007, placing him among the franchise's elite monthly performers. He joins teammate Dansby Swanson as the fifth player in team history to hit five home runs over a two-game span. Manager Craig Counsell praised the center fielder, noting the ball explodes off his bat.

The Cubs' loss came after starter Shota Imanaga gave up three home runs, increasing his season total to 33, which is tied for the most in MLB. Despite surrendering three or more home runs in a franchise-record six games this season, Counsell confirmed Imanaga's rotation spot is not in jeopardy. Crow-Armstrong will head into the final month of the season as the NL MVP favorite, especially with Shohei Ohtani sidelined by a hitting slump and a return to the mound uncertain.