Cubs center fielder Pete Crow‑Armstrong labeled his recent miscues “laughable” after a ball slipped under his glove in the second inning of Wednesday’s 5-0 loss to Milwaukee. The error allowed three runs when third baseman David Hamilton circled the bases on a liner. Crow‑Armstrong also dropped a fly ball Tuesday, though it produced no runs. The misplay shifted momentum early, and Chicago never recovered.

The 24‑year‑old went 0‑for‑3 with two strikeouts, his OPS slipping to .659 after signing a six‑year, $115 million extension this winter. Manager Craig Counsell admitted the club is in a “funk,” having dropped five in a row and surrendered the NL Central lead to the Brewers, who completed a three‑game sweep. Milwaukee’s Kyle Harrison struck out 11 over seven innings, further exposing Chicago’s woes.

Teammates rallied around Crow‑Armstrong, with third baseman Alex Bregman insisting the young outfielder remains a difference‑maker despite the slump. Pitcher Edward Cabrera, on the mound during the costly play, defended him, noting the rarity of such errors. The Cubs must curb defensive lapses if they hope to reclaim first place. With the postseason looming, every defensive lapse becomes magnified.