Mar 23, 2021; Mesa, Arizona, USA; Chicago Cubs infielder Nico Hoerner against the Chicago White Sox during a Spring Training game at Sloan Park. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
Chicago Cubs infielder Nico Hoerner tricked the Milwaukee Brewers into an impossible double play on Sunday.
The Chicago Cubs had their fanbase up in arms after they chose to option infielder Nico Hoerner to the alternate site towards the end of spring training. But after an injury to outfielder Joc Pederson, the Cubs called up Hoerner, who showed off his baseball IQ on Sunday afternoon.
In the top of the eighth inning, the Brewers had Omar Narvarez on first base after a single to left field. Avisail Garcia stepped up to the plate in the very next at-bat and appeared to hit a pop up to the second baseman Hoerner. Instead of catching it, Hoerner let the ball bounce, threw it to first to get Garcia out, forcing Narvarez into a rundown to get the double play!
Cubs: Nico Hoerner forces Brewers into impossible double play
Hoerner just went full galaxy brain on the Brewers with that heads-up play. Unfortunately for the Cubs, that is where the smiles ended, as the Brewers scored five unanswered runs in the top of the ninth inning to win 6-0.
Through his first four games of the season, including the Sunday contest, Hoerner has recorded a .444 batting average, .615 on-base percentage, .778 slugging percentage, four hits and three RBI.
Hoerner proved that he was worth the major league roster spot with this play alone.