LOS ANGELES -- Known for some memorable glovework in his six-year career, Cardinals second baseman Kolten Wong might have made his best play yet while helping the Cardinals seal a 5-2 victory over the Dodgers on Tuesday night.
With closer Bud Norris trying to protect a 5-2 lead at Dodger Stadium, Justin Turner sent a ground ball up the middle to open the bottom of the ninth inning. Wong sprung to action, diving to the shortstop side of second base to knock the ball down at the edge of the outfield grass.
Wong gathered the ball in his right hand as he got to his feet, then threw sidearm to first base as he fell back to the turf.
The 60.9 mph throw went 117 feet to first baseman Matt Carpenter, who snared the ball, pointed to first-base umpire Chad Fairchild and pumped his fist when he got the out call he was looking for.
"Wow," Cardinals interim manager Mike Shildt said.
Wong, who ranks second among all players at all positions with 18 Defensive Runs Saved this season, is striving to become the first Cardinals second baseman to win a Gold Glove since Fernando Vina in 2002. His manager is definitely in his corner.
"You can count on your hand, at least I can, the number of plays you've seen that are any better than that," Shildt said. "I'm having a hard time recalling right now what they might be. That's just a Gold Glove-caliber play is what that is."
Norris was able to close out the victory, and his 26th save, with two more ground balls that were pedestrian by comparison.