On Independence Day, the Chicago Cubs set off their own fireworks display with a baseball bat, crushing the rival St. Louis Cardinals 11-3 at Wrigley Field. And it wasn’t just a win — it was a historic one, as the Cubs set a club record with eight home runs in a single game…
The Cubs kicked off the game with an unstoppable bang. In the first three innings, they had six home runs, another club record. When the game ended, the scoreboard showed eight home runs — breaking the team record of seven HRs, which had only happened four times since 1967.
Leading the charge was Michael Busch, who hit three home runs in one game — a rarity at Wrigley Field on the Fourth of July, and coincidentally, against the Cardinals, as Moisés Alou did in 2003.
It’s impossible not to mention Pete Crow-Armstrong (PCA), the young star who had two home runs, four hits, and an incredible catch in the outfield that Statcast rated as a 5% chance of success. He proved not only his offensive prowess but also his defensive gold medal, bringing the Wrigley crowd to their feet.
Don’t let the eight home runs overshadow the rest — Colin Rea had a stellar day, allowing just one hit and two walks in nearly seven innings. He and the Cubs’ bullpen shut down the Cardinals and didn’t give the visitors any chance to turn the game around.
Fireworks on the stat sheet
8 home runs – Chicago Cubs all-time record.
3 home runs from Busch – One of the best individual games in team history.
2 home runs and a 5% catch from PCA – A sign of a bright future.
2 back-to-back homers in the same game – The first time the Cubs have done that since 1895.
The win was not only a huge blow to the Cardinals, but also solidified the Cubs’ lead at the top of the NL Central, improving their record to 52–35. With their youth and energy unleashed, the Cubs showed that they were more than just playoff contenders — they were ready for a championship run.
“This was the most memorable performance I’ve ever seen on Independence Day at Wrigley,” said one fan. “It was both a celebration of our country and the Cubs making history.”
It’s hard to imagine a more memorable Independence Day celebration in Chicago.