WATCH: Bote makes incredible defensive play, earns salute from Rizzo |
ST. LOUIS — Young Chicago Cubs infielder David Bote has filled in nicely for Kris Bryant at third base during Bryant's sporadic injury layoffs this season, and he made a play in the ninth inning of the Cubs' matchup with the St. Louis Cardinals on Sunday that was befitting of a Gold Glove-caliber third baseman.
Charging a dribbler hit by the Cardinals' Marcell Ozuna in the bottom of the ninth, Bote bare-handed the ball at the edge of the infield grass and proceeded to gun a side-armed throw to first base while falling down. Putting it all on the proverbial line in order to make the difficult play, Bote was able to record the out by way of his tremendous displays of athleticism and fortitude. The web gem was so impressive that it garnered a celebratory salute from Cubs first baseman Anthony Rizzo, who earned the putout by catching Bote's on-the-money throw across the diamond. Responding to Rizzo's adulation with a wry smile, Bote helped the Cubs to maintain their three-run lead en route to accruing a 5-2 victory over the rival Cardinals by producing the premier defensive highlight of his burgeoning big-league career. Confirmed: David Bote is a good baseball player.#EverybodyIn pic.twitter.com/j191Q2Zf03
