Cain's Opening Day catch wins Play of the Week

The Brewers were one out away from an Opening Day victory when Cardinals slugger Jose Martinez launched a fly ball that threatened to tie the game. That’s when Lorenzo Cain intervened, making a spectacular grab to rob Martinez and end the contest.

Fittingly, Cain’s clutch catch was recognized with the MLB Play of the Week Award presented by W.B. Mason on Monday. The Play of the Week Award is new for the 2019 campaign, making Cain the inaugural winner, and will honor the top defensive gem each week.

With the Cardinals trailing, 5-4, on Thursday, Martinez entered the game as a pinch-hitter in the ninth inning and belted a 1-0 fastball to deep right-center field off Brewers left-hander Josh Hader.

Cain raced from his position in center, leaped from the warning track and snatched the ball just above the wall for the final out, taking a potential home run away from Martinez. As the Milwaukee faithful erupted in excitement, Cain hurled the ball skyward and ran in to celebrate with his teammates, pounding his chest along the way.

Cain’s game-saving grab highlighted a 3-1 season-opening series win for the Brewers over the National League Central rival Cardinals.

Christian Yelich, the reigning NL MVP Award winner, hit .500 with four homers in the series and took home NL Player of the Week honors as a result. Mariners shortstop Tim Beckham earned the Player of the Week Award in the AL.