CHICAGO (AP) — Nico Hoerner delivered for the Chicago Cubs on Sunday — at the plate and in the field. He even made the most of a rare baserunning mistake.
Hoerner had two hits, drove in a run and made a heady defensive play in a 5-4 win over the Chicago White Sox. The all-around performance by the second baseman helped the Cubs to a second straight victory going into a big series at Milwaukee.
The 28-year-old Hoerner — a Gold Glove winner in 2023 — started an unusual double play in the third at Rate Field.
The White Sox had runners on first and second with one out when Chase Meidroth popped up toward the right side of the infield. Meidroth was called out via the infield fly rule, and Hoerner let the ball drop.
“First thought was just watching the hitter,” Hoerner said. “Looking to maybe drop the ball and get him out and then hopefully get a double play. But they called infield fly, so the batter’s out. Then kind of makes it possible is having my feet on the grass. I don’t really like letting it drop in the dirt. Kind of chaos after that.”
Hoerner was focused on Brooks Baldwin at first when shortstop Dansby Swanson pointed to Lenyn Sosa breaking for third. Hoerner turned and threw across the diamond to Matt Shaw, who applied the tag for the inning-ending double play.
“That was a huge play,” manager Craig Counsell said.
Hoerner said he’s constantly going over possible scenarios in his head.
“Got a group that likes talking the game,” he said. “So it’s really satisfying to get extra outs like that.”
Hoerner also hit an RBI single in the sixth and scored from first on Shaw’s double. He reached on an infield single in the second on the 14th pitch of his at-bat against Sean Burke.
He walked in the eighth and was picked off first by Mike Vasil, but he stayed in the rundown long enough that the Cubs got a run when White Sox third baseman Colson Montgomery was called for interference, allowing Ian Happ to score.
“It started with a mistake on my end, just getting too far off,” Hoerner said. “Fortunately, Ian’s able to kind of capitalize on just some chaos out there and turn it into something.”
Chicago improved to 62-43 to remain tied with Milwaukee for first place in the NL Central. The Cubs visit the Brewers for a three-game set beginning on Monday night.
Hoerner has hit safely in 14 of his last 17 games, batting .328 (21 for 64) with two triples and seven RBIs during the stretch. He is batting a team-high .289 on the season, to go along with his stellar defense.
“I’m just super grateful to have Nico as a teammate,” pitcher Ben Brown said. “The baseball IQ out of him is, I mean it’s Nico. It’s just the way he is. It’s just kind of like through his veins and through his blood.”
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