Michael Conforto Delivers Pinch-Hit Heroics as Surging Cubs Rally Past Reds for Sixth Straight Win

CHICAGO — In a season already defined by dramatic comebacks and relentless momentum, the Chicago Cubs added another unforgettable chapter to their 2025 campaign on Monday night. Trailing 4-3 entering the bottom of the ninth inning at a raucous Wrigley Field, the Cubs refused to blink. Pinch-hitter Michael Conforto stepped to the plate with one out and crushed a 3-2 pitch over the center-field wall, capping a two-run rally that lifted the NL Central-leading Cubs to a 5-4 victory over the Cincinnati Reds.

The win was Chicago’s sixth straight and their 16th in the last 19 games, pushing their record to a stellar 23-12. Perhaps more impressively, the Cubs extended their home winning streak to 12 consecutive games at Wrigley Field—the club’s longest such run since a 14-game streak in 2008, the year they won the division and advanced to the postseason.

“This team just doesn’t quit,” Conforto said after being mobbed by teammates near home plate. “We’ve got so much belief in each other. When you’re down late, you just look for a good pitch to drive. I got it, and I put a good swing on it.”

Seiya Suzuki’s 455-Foot Bomb Sets the Tone Early

The Cubs’ offense wasted no time establishing their power. In the bottom of the first inning, right fielder Seiya Suzuki unloaded on a fastball from Reds starter Hunter Greene, sending it an estimated 455 feet into the left-center bleachers. The towering solo shot was a statement—a reminder that the Cubs’ lineup is as dangerous as any in the National League.

Suzuki’s blast gave Chicago an early 1-0 lead, but the Reds answered quickly. Cincinnati scratched across a run in the second on a groundout by Tyler Stephenson, then took the lead in the third when Elly De La Cruz ripped an RBI double to left. By the fifth inning, the Reds had built a 3-1 advantage, capitalizing on some shaky Cubs defense and a few well-placed hits.

But Chicago clawed back. In the bottom of the fifth, Dansby Swanson drove in a run with a sacrifice fly, and Ian Happ followed with an RBI single to tie the game at 3-3. The momentum shifted back and forth, setting the stage for a tense late-inning battle.

Spencer Steer Gives Reds the Lead, but Cubs Strike Back in the Ninth

The Reds appeared to seize control in the eighth inning. With the game knotted at 3-3, Spencer Steer lined a two-out RBI single off Cubs reliever Ben Brown, scoring De La Cruz from second base. The hit gave Cincinnati a 4-3 lead and seemed to deflate the Wrigley Field crowd—for a moment.

Brown, who had been solid in relief, escaped further damage, but the damage was done. The Reds turned to closer Emilio Pagán (2-1) in the ninth, hoping to secure their first win in four games. Instead, the Cubs’ relentless approach struck again.

Center fielder Pete Crow-Armstrong led off the inning with a triple that was as much about effort as it was about luck. He smashed a pitch to deep center field, where Reds center fielder Dane Myers leaped at the wall and appeared to have a bead on the ball. But the ball popped out of Myers’ glove as he crashed into the ivy, and Crow-Armstrong cruised into third base with the tying run 90 feet away.

“I just put the ball in play and ran as hard as I could,” Crow-Armstrong said. “When I saw the ball come out, I knew I had a chance to get to third. That’s all you can ask for.”

One out later, Nico Hoerner lifted a sacrifice fly to right field, scoring Crow-Armstrong easily and tying the game at 4-4. The crowd erupted, but the Cubs weren’t done.

That’s when manager Craig Counsell turned to his bench. With Matt Shaw due up, Counsell called on Michael Conforto—a veteran left-handed bat with a knack for the dramatic. Conforto worked the count full against Pagán, then unleashed a swing that sent the ball soaring over the center-field wall. The ballpark exploded as Conforto rounded the bases, greeted by a mob of teammates at home plate.

Expert Analysis: Why the Cubs Are the Team to Beat in the NL Central

What we witnessed Monday night was not an anomaly. The Cubs are playing with a level of confidence and execution that separates contenders from pretenders. Here are three key reasons why Chicago’s hot streak is more than just a flash in the pan:

• Deep, relentless lineup: From Suzuki’s power to Crow-Armstrong’s speed to Conforto’s clutch hitting, the Cubs have multiple ways to beat you. They don’t rely on one star; they have a balanced attack that can strike at any moment.
• Resilient bullpen: Despite allowing the go-ahead run in the eighth, Ben Brown and the relief corps held the line long enough for the offense to respond. The Cubs’ bullpen has a 3.12 ERA over the last 15 games, and they’ve shown they can absorb a blow without collapsing.
• Home-field dominance: Wrigley Field has become a fortress. Winning 12 straight at home is no accident—the Cubs feed off the energy of the crowd and have developed a comfort level that makes them nearly unbeatable in the friendly confines.

“This is a special group,” said Cubs manager Craig Counsell. “They believe in each other, they prepare the right way, and they never feel like they’re out of a game. That’s a dangerous combination.”

Predictions: What’s Next for the Cubs and Reds

For the Cubs, the immediate future looks bright. They have a chance to sweep the Reds on Tuesday and extend their home winning streak to 13 games. With a favorable schedule ahead—including series against the struggling Pirates and Marlins—Chicago has a real opportunity to build a commanding lead in the division. If the pitching holds up and the offense stays hot, this team could be playing deep into October.

For the Reds, the picture is murkier. Cincinnati has now lost four straight, and their bullpen has been a persistent weakness. Emilio Pagán has blown two saves in his last three appearances, and the team’s inability to close out games is becoming a troubling trend. Manager David Bell will need to find answers quickly, or the Reds risk falling further behind in the NL Central race.

One thing is certain: the Cubs are not just a good story—they are a legitimate threat. With a mix of young talent like Crow-Armstrong and veteran leadership like Conforto, Chicago has the ingredients for a special season. Monday night was just the latest reminder that when the Cubs are rolling, they’re one of the most dangerous teams in baseball.

Strong Conclusion: A Night to Remember at Wrigley

As the final out was recorded and the Cubs poured onto the field to celebrate, the Wrigley Field scoreboard flashed the final score: Cubs 5, Reds 4. The song “Go, Cubs, Go” blared through the stadium speakers, and fans lingered long after the game ended, savoring another thrilling victory.

This is what baseball in Chicago is all about in 2025. The Cubs are not just winning—they’re winning with style, with grit, and with an unshakeable belief that no deficit is too large. Michael Conforto’s pinch-hit homer will be remembered as the signature moment of this streak, but it’s the collective resilience of this team that makes them special.

Six straight wins. Twelve straight at home. Sixteen of nineteen overall. The Cubs are on a roll, and if Monday night was any indication, they’re not ready to stop anytime soon. The rest of the NL Central—and the National League—has been put on notice.

Source: Based on news from Yahoo Sports.