MILWAUKEE -- Milwaukee Brewers rookie outfielder Luis Lara has produced a season's worth of spectacular plays in two months since his call-up, often while playing a new position. His latest highlight came Monday afternoon, helping preserve a 4-3 victory over the Chicago Cubs and extending Milwaukee's NL Central lead to eight games.

With the Brewers leading 4-2, Lara used his 5-foot-7 frame to make a leaping catch on Pedro Ramirez's drive that otherwise would have left the park or hit the wall in right-center. "Really, in that situation, I'm just reacting," Lara said through interpreter Daniel de Mondesert. The catch came after Pete Crow-Armstrong's homer cut the lead to one, essentially keeping the Cubs from tying.

Lara has consistently made amazing catches in critical moments since his debut two months ago. He crashed into the right-field wall to rob Kody Clemens on Aug. 9, made another leaping play against Brooks Lee, and stole an extra-base hit from Matt Olson against the Atlanta Braves on Aug. 21. "That's what we want from our outfielders," said Brewers closer Trevor Megill. Manager Pat Murphy praised the 21-year-old's ability to bounce back after striking out in the eighth inning, immediately making up for it with the ninth-inning grab.

Signed to a seven-year, $31 million deal while in the minors, Lara won a Gold Glove last year. Hitting .262 with a .696 OPS in 49 games, he's given Milwaukee an abundance of elite defensive outfield options alongside Garrett Mitchell, Jackson Chourio, and Sal Frelick.