Bellinger brings back homer to preserve rookie's no-hit bid

Cody Bellinger had his rookie's back.

With Cubs right-hander Ben Brown working on a no-hitter in the seventh inning against the Brewers on Tuesday night, Willy Adames sent a ball deep to center field that looked like it would be the first hit -- and run -- for Milwaukee. But Bellinger had other ideas.

He tracked it to the wall and timed his leap perfectly, extending his glove over the wall and bringing it back for the second out of the inning. Brown then struck out the next batter to preserve the no-no.

Brown would exit after his seven no-hit frames, and the Brewers ended the combo no-hit bit when Sal Frelick hit a one-out single off reliever Hayden Wesneski in the eighth. After Milwaukee tied the game at 1 in the 9th, the Cubs eventually prevailed in a 6-3, 10-inning victory.

“It’s obviously really good, especially in those circumstances,” Bellinger said of his catch. “Brown was amazing, electric stuff tonight. Just try to do my part and make that play.”

Off the bat, Brown did not think that ball was staying in the park. His first thought after Adames hit his fastball at 101.2 mph was “frustration.” But that soon changed once he saw Bellinger sprint back.

“Belli just kept running really fast and he’s going back, and I’m like, ‘Oh my gosh, it’s a home run,'" Brown said. “Then, Belli just looked like he jumped 20 feet up in the air and caught it. He looked really good doing it. He’s a beast.”