Twice as nice! Witt's Gold Glove defense on display vs. Mexico

HOUSTON -- Bobby Witt Jr. Dawg.

The Team USA shortstop had a Gold Glove performance on defense in the World Baseball Classic on Monday, with a pair of show-stopping plays in the 5-3 win over rival Mexico.

"They just kind of happen," Witt told FOX Sports' Ken Rosenthal on the field after the game. "Those are the ones that are fun. You just go out there and try to make plays."

Witt's web gems even drew the attention of a fellow Kansas City sports superstar: Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes.

Witt went diving deep into the hole at shortstop twice to rob Mexico hitters in back-to-back innings -- Blue Jays All-Star catcher Alejandro Kirk in the fourth inning, and Pirates infielder Nick Gonzales in the fifth.

Witt had to range far to his right, and onto the outfield grass, to track down Kirk's one-hopper and snare it with a full-extension dive. He still somehow had just enough time to make the long throw from his knees to first to get Kirk. Kirk might be a slower runner, but Witt's throw was simply incredible.

Paul Skenes, who was on the mound at the time, could only grin at Witt, still in disbelief at what his shortstop just did.

"Bobby's play, that's one of the best plays I've ever seen," Skenes said.

Witt had sat next to Skenes on the bus ride to the stadium, he said. Before the game, he gave his starting pitcher one message.

"I said, 'I got your six tonight," Witt told Rosenthal (as in, he'd have Skenes' back in the field). "Whatever happens."

Gonzales' ball was hit harder than Kirk's, but he's also a much faster runner than Kirk. And Witt still had to make a full diving stop. But this time, he leaped to his feet and uncorked an absolute laser of a throw to first base to get Gonzales just in time.

The throw was 89 mph out of Witt's hand, according to Statcast, which is insane for a shortstop who was just diving away from first base a split-second before.

Witt also wasn't even the first USA player to get called a dawg by another star athlete during the U.S.-Mexico game. Kevin Durant posted the same thing about Skenes after his dominant start.