El Mago's latest trick: Blink and you'll miss it

April 23rd, 2021

Everything was going right for the Cubs in their 15-2 win over the Brewers on Friday, when added to the fun with a ridiculous defensive play.

After a 10-run eruption through the first two innings, the North Siders were rolling and the fans at the Friendly Confines were settling into an easy afternoon of watching a blowout. But Báez got them on their feet again in the top of the fourth with a dive and a glove flip that led to an ending-inning double play.

Chicago was up 10-0, with one out and a man on first, when Keston Hiura stepped to the plate with hopes of getting the Crew going. Facing Cubs starter Kyle Hendricks, Hiura laced a sharp one-hopper up the middle that seemed destined for the outfield, but Báez had other ideas. He dove to his left and -- fully extended -- snagged the hot shot that left the bat at 102.3 mph. From the ground, Báez flipped the ball from his glove to Nico Hoerner, who got the force at second before firing to first to complete the play.

Needless to say, Hendricks was appreciative of the effort, not to mention impressed.

"It was awesome to watch from my vantage point," Hendricks said. "Such a sweet play. It did surprise me a little bit, but it shouldn't. It shouldn't at all. This is just what he does, day in and day out, and it's such a treat to watch him take the field day after day."