Not 1, not 2, but *3* dazzling plays for Gamel

The Pirates-Cubs series finale on Sunday afternoon at Wrigley Field seemingly had a little bit of everything, including three grand slams and three athletic plays by Pittsburgh left fielder Ben Gamel.

Gamel’s most dazzling (and most clutch) highlight came with a pair of Cubs runners on base and one out in the bottom of the seventh. Cubs catcher Willson Contreras pulled what looked to be a run-scoring double to the left-field corner, but Gamel tracked the ball down and made a full-extension leap to snag it just before it hit the warning-track dirt.

“I knew I could go get it immediately off the bat," Gamel said. "It found some leather.”

Gamel then relayed the ball back to a teammate from the seat of his pants, and the Pirates nearly doubled off Alfonso Rivas at first base.

Was this the best catch of Gamel's career?

“It was definitely up there," Gamel said. "It was one of the top 2, I gather.”

The Cubs, nearly doubled off to end the inning by Gamel, took advantage of their second chance two batters later when Frank Schwindel crushed a go-ahead grand slam and sent the Pirates on their way to an 11-8 loss.

That wasn’t the first time Sunday that Gamel threw his body around for a sensational out. The Pirates’ first out recorded on the day came when Gamel ranged to his right and dove to catch Rafael Ortega’s sinking liner.

And here’s one more: Check out Gamel leaping and reaching behind his head to snare Robinson Chirinos’ deep third-inning drive right in front of the Wrigley Field ivy.

Gamel will probably need a long ice bath after his punishing nine innings of work. Pittsburgh’s pitching staff also probably owes him dinner at a nice Chicago steakhouse.

"I shall be bruised. I feel fine right now. All in a day’s work, I guess," Gamel said.