Ten-time Gold Glove third baseman once again shows why he’s a future Hall of Famer with a game-saving defensive gem at Busch Stadium.
By John Denton
ST. LOUIS —
From the training room, Matthew Liberatore did a double take. Cardinals manager Oliver Marmol was left processing the sheer difficulty of what he had just seen. In the dugout, Kyle Leahy watched in awe, with one phrase echoing in his mind: “Hall of Fame.”
On a night when Brendan Donovan and Lars Nootbaar both notched two hits and an RBI, and pitchers Leahy, Phil Maton, and Liberatore kept the Brewers largely in check, it was Nolan Arenado who delivered the play that defined the night — and preserved a 3–2 Cardinals win at Busch Stadium.
The Stunning Defensive Play
With runners on first and third and the Cardinals clinging to a slim lead, Arenado ranged to his left to field a tricky chopper from Sal Frelick. Rather than forcing a difficult double play, Arenado instinctively spun and threw across his body to the plate, catching Milwaukee speedster Jackson Chourio trying to score and maintaining St. Louis’ narrow advantage.
The Cardinals’ dugout and clubhouse buzzed with disbelief — even Chourio, raising his palms in confusion, seemed amazed by Arenado’s athleticism.
“That’s a Hall of Fame play,” Leahy said. “Most guys would’ve tried to turn two, but Nolan fired an impossible throw home.”
Liberatore added, “It made me do a double take. It’s not just physical talent — it’s that internal clock. Nolan never stops amazing us.”
Arenado’s High Standards
Despite the heroics, Arenado wasn’t completely satisfied. He felt he owed his team after dropping a foul ball earlier that eventually led to a Brewers run. The cross-body throw, while spectacular to everyone else, was something Arenado had drilled over and over every Spring Training.
“I thought I kept Chourio close enough to try for it,” Arenado said. “Worst case, he’s safe and it’s first and second — but I felt comfortable going for it. I’ve made that play before — maybe not recently — but it felt natural.”
How the Game Shifted
Arenado’s defensive brilliance helped lock in a win for Liberatore, who allowed just two runs (one earned) over six-plus strong innings. Phil Maton secured the hold, and Ryan Helsley grabbed his fourth save of the year. Thanks in part to Arenado, the Cardinals improved to 9–4 at home this season.
“One guy makes that play — and tonight, it was Nolan,” said Marmol. “That throw completely changed the game.”
Brewers manager Pat Murphy also tipped his cap: “Nolan’s been a great player for a long time, and he always comes through when it matters most.”
When told Chourio appeared stunned after getting thrown out, Arenado just laughed. For him, it was simply instincts taking over — the product of years of preparation.
“My instincts told me to go for it,” Arenado said. “Honestly, it doesn’t even feel that hard because of how often I’ve practiced it. It was a huge moment — maybe it even made up for that dropped pop-up earlier.”
