Cain takes HR away with stunning grab

PHOENIX -- Back, back, back and … into the outstretched glove of a leaping Lorenzo Cain. It’s a sight many batters have seen on potential home runs, and this time, the D-backs’ Eduardo Escobar was the victim of the robbery.

Cain made an outstanding, home-run-robbing catch to end the first inning of the Brewers’ 5-1 win at Chase Field on Thursday night, adding another standout play to his highlight reel, which includes four that have taken away a homer this season.

Escobar launched a ball to deep right-center field off Brewers right-hander Zach Davies, which left the bat with an exit velocity of 100.7 mph according to Statcast. However, Cain retreated to the wall in front of the swimming pool, timed his jump perfectly and snagged the ball just above the fence as his body crashed into the wall.

“You have trust in him, you know he’s going to make those types of plays,” Davies said. “He does things that other people can’t do, and it’s impressive every single time he does it.”

Cain flashed a wide grin and shook his head as he jogged in, also receiving a high-five from teammate Christian Yelich. Meanwhile, Escobar took off his helmet and raised it straight in the air to tip his cap to the Brewers’ center fielder.

“I always think the robbing-the-home-run play and the out at the plate from an outfielder or a relay throw are just such game-changers. It just changes the momentum of games so much,” manager Craig Counsell said. “It changes your dugout. It changes everything.”

That wasn’t the only defensive highlight for Cain in the victory. He also made an impressive over-the-shoulder grab on a deep Carson Kelly fly ball in the seventh, potentially saving a run in a game that was tied 1-1.

“I’ve been doing the outfield thing for a while now,” Cain said. “I try to be a playmaker out there, that’s something I pride myself in doing and I want to continue to do that. I’m not swinging the bat like I want to right now, so at least I can go out there and make some plays on the defensive side.”

Could Cain win the first Gold Glove Award of his 10-year career this season? His opposition is surprised it hasn’t happened already.

“He has not won a Gold Glove?” D-backs manager Torey Lovullo said. “Well, he should have won one tonight, that’s for sure.”