Watch: MLB star Baez makes the solo double play look easy

By Dave Kovaleski June 21, 2018 at 8:52am

Cubs infielder Javy Baez added another gem to his collection of stellar defensive plays Wednesday against the Dodgers.

Baez, who started the game at shortstop, was moved over to second base in the eighth inning as Addison Russell came into the game to play short.

It proved to be fortuitous as Baez proceeded to single-handedly thwart a Dodgers rally with a spectacular unassisted double play.

After LA’s Enrique Hernandez led off with a double, Justin Turner stepped up with no outs and a chance to cut into Chicago’s 4-0 lead.

Where's @javy23baez when you need him?

Ah, there he is. pic.twitter.com/1W74ARaDK3

— Chicago Cubs (@Cubs) June 20, 2018

Turner hit a line drive right to Baez for the out. But the quick-thinking second baseman was not done there.

Do you think Javy Baez is the best defensive infielder in MLB?

Seeing that Hernandez had strayed a little too far off second base, Baez immediately raced for the bag, diving to touch it just before Hernandez for the double play.

“He is a human highlight reel,” said the Cubs announcer.

The next batter, Matt Kemp, struck out, and the inning was over.

Baez’s unassisted double play was not the only defensive gem by the Cubs.

In the third inning with Chicago up 1-0, Chris Taylor was on third after a single by Hernandez. The next batter, Turner, hit a fly ball to Jason Heyward in right field.

Sometimes you need to learn the hard way. pic.twitter.com/dDKdzVg0yi

— Chicago Cubs (@Cubs) June 20, 2018

Heyward fired a one-hop strike to catcher Wilson Contreras, who laid the tag on Taylor for the inning-ending out.

After the collision, Contreras had a bloody nose. But the Cubs walked away with a 4-0 win.

Bloody Willson Contreras pic.twitter.com/Ou4lyTOHGc

— Aldo Soto (@AldoSoto21) June 20, 2018

“That’s what we do,” said Baez after the game about the Cubs defensive plays. “We try to do our best for our pitcher. Great defense wins ballgames.”

Submit a Correction →

We are committed to truth and accuracy in all of our journalism. Read our editorial standards.

Tags:

MLB

Dave Kovaleski

Contributor, Sports

SummaryMore Biographical InformationRecent PostsContact

Dave is a lifelong sports fan who has been writing for The Wildcard since 2017. He has been a writer for more than 20 years for a variety of publications.

Dave has been writing about sports for The Wildcard since 2017. He's been a reporter and editor for over 20 years, covering everything from sports to financial news. In addition to writing for The Wildcard, Dave has covered mutual funds for Pensions and Investments, meetings and conventions, money market funds, personal finance, associations, and he currently covers financial regulations and the energy sector for Macallan Communications. He has won awards for both news and sports reporting.

Location

Massachusetts

Languages Spoken

English

Topics of Expertise

Sports