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Chicago Cubs star Nico Hoerner did his best basketball impression, throwing the baseball between his legs to make a sensational play on a bunt.
In the top of the fifth inning of the Cubs’ 3-0 loss to the Houston Astros Saturday afternoon at Wrigley Field, Hoerner demonstrated his defensive prowess. Astros catcher César Salazar attempted to jump Cubs starting pitcher Colin Rea and open the inning with a bunt single on Rea’s first pitch of the frame.
Hoerner, a two-time Gold Glove winner, charged on Salazar’s bunt. Salazar runs well, which limited Hoerner’s options after recovering the ball with his bare hands.
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Nico Hoerner of the Chicago Cubs plays 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 one motion, dragged his right leg behind him, creating an opening allowing him to throw the ball between his legs to first base, despite all his momentum toward home plate. First baseman Michael Busch finished the play by reaching out and catching Hoerner’s dazzling throw to complete the highlight and catch the speedy Salazar for the out.
Hoerner’s throw between the legs evoked memories of New York Mets pitcher Bartolo Colon and Chicago White Sox Mark Buehrle, both of whom made plays of a similar ilk.
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Chicago Cubs second baseman Nico Hoerner runs onto the field before a game against the Houston Astros at Wrigley Field in Chicago, Illinois on May 22, 2026. (Kamil Krzaczynski/Imagn Images)
Colon fielded Miami Marlins first baseman Justin Bour’s weak dribbler down the first-base line and casually flipped the ball behind his back to complete the putdown.
Buehrle was drilled in the foot by a comebacker and the ball ricocheted into foul territory on the first base side. He rushed and threw the ball with his glove between his legs to complete the out.
Like Colon and Buehrle, Hoerner’s fantastic acting will long be shown on marquee films.
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Nico Hoerner of the Chicago Cubs plays 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 standout play was one of the few highlights of their loss to the Astros.
The Cubs (29-23) will look to bounce back when they face the Astros (22-31) in the final game of a three-game series Sunday at 2:20 p.m. ET and hope to avoid the sweep.
