CHICAGO -- Chicago Cubs infielder Starlin Castro made the first appearance of his career at second base Tuesday night as a midgame replacement for starter Chris Coghlan.
His first defensive chance in Chicago's 6-3 win over the Milwaukee Brewers came in the seventh inning when Logan Schafer hit a ball to Castro’s left, which he gobbled up while going to the ground. But he couldn’t finish the play, bouncing a throw to first baseman Anthony Rizzo as Schafer earned an infield hit. Then Castro made a routine play in the eighth on an Adam Lind ground ball, but he saved his best for last -- with one out in the ninth.
Elian Herrera hit a foul ball near the Brewers' bullpen as right fielder Jorge Soler, Rizzo and Castro tracked it. It was Castro who made the awkward catch with his back nearly to home plate.
“To make that among the bullpen with crap on the ground and guys flying all over the place … that was a spectacular play,” Cubs manager Joe Maddon said.
The crowd gave Castro an extra cheer for the play, and for his first at-bat earlier in the game. The fans seemed to be acknowledging what Maddon has said since he made the move to pull Castro as the starter at short: He’s been a professional about it.
“He’s a gamer,” Rizzo said. “He comes in at second [base], looks natural. He’s not selfish. He’s obviously down on himself, but he’s not going to show it to anyone in this clubhouse.”
Maddon said Castro will start at second base when the Cubs face a lefty on the mound, which will happen this weekend against the White Sox.
“He looks pretty good,” Rizzo said. “He’s been the face of the franchise. He still has a lot of good days ahead of him.”
