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Chicago Cubs star Nico Hoerner did his best basketball impression, throwing the ball between his legs to make a sensational one-touch play.
In the top of the fifth inning of the Cubs' 3-0 loss to the Houston Astros on Saturday afternoon at Wrigley Field, Hoerner showed off his defensive prowess. Astros catcher Cesar Salazar attempted to jump over Cubs starting pitcher Colin Rea and led off the inning with a bunt single on Rea's first pitch of the inning.
Hoerner, a two-time Gold Glove winner, attacked with a tap from Salazar. Salazar runs well, which left Hoerner's options limited after he collected the ball barehanded.
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Nico Hoerner of the Chicago Cubs makes a play at second base during a game against the Houston Astros at Wrigley Field in Chicago on May 22, 2026. (Matt Dirksen/Chicago Cubs/Getty Images)
They say that necessity is the mother of invention.
The 29-year-old, in a single motion, dragged his right leg behind him, creating an opening to throw the ball between his legs to first base, even though all of his momentum was heading toward the plate. First baseman Michael Busch finished the play by reaching out and catching Hoerner's dazzling throw to complete the highlight and trap the speedy Salazar for the out.
Hoerner's throw through the legs evoked memories of New York Mets pitcher Bartolo Colón and Chicago White Sox pitcher Mark Buehrle, who made similar plays.
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Chicago Cubs second baseman Nico Hoerner enters the field before a game against the Houston Astros at Wrigley Field in Chicago, Illinois, on May 22, 2026. (Kamil Krzaczynski/Imagn Images)
Colón fielded the weak dribbler of Miami Marlins first baseman Justin Bour on the first base line and casually threw the ball behind his back to complete the out.
Buehrle was drilled in the foot by a returner and the ball bounced into foul territory on the first base side. He hustled and threw the ball with his glove between his legs to complete the out.
Like Colon and Buehrle, Hoerner's fantastic play will be on display for a long time in the highlight reels.
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Nico Hoerner of the Chicago Cubs makes a play at second base during a game against the Houston Astros at Wrigley Field in Chicago, Illinois, on May 22, 2026. (Matt Dirksen/Chicago Cubs/Getty Images)
Unfortunately for the Cubs, Hoerner's breakout play was one of the few highlights in their loss to the Astros.
The Cubs (29-23) will look to bounce back when they play the Astros (22-31) in the final game of a three-game series on Sunday at 2:20 p.m. ET and hope to avoid a sweep.
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