The Chicago Cubs took two of three games from the Cincinnati Reds over the weekend at Wrigley Field. In Saturday and Sunday’s games, pitching was pivotal to the Cubs winning the series despite dropping the first game Friday.

So was Matt Shaw‘s defense.

The Cubs rookie third baseman’s glove was on full display in Sunday’s 7-3 win over the Reds. That was particularly true in the seventh inning.

In the top of that frame and with the Cubs leading 5-2, Reds catcher Tyler Stephenson stepped in to face Chicago right-hander Jameson Taillon. Stephenson laced a full-count offering, with an exit velocity of 95 mph, toward third base, and the ball took a wicked hop. Instinctively, Shaw snagged the ball to prevent a possible extra-base hit and then threw out Stephenson.

Two batters later, Reds first baseman Spencer Steer stepped in to face Cubs reliever Caleb Thielbar. Steer ripped a 2-1 pitch, with a 98-mph exit velocity, toward third base. Shaw snared the sharp grounder and threw out Steer to hold the Reds scoreless in that inning.

[WATCH: Cubs vs. Reds condensed game highlights]

Following those two important moments in Sunday’s win, Cubs manager Craig Counsell praised his young third baseman.

“Yeah, let’s keep it going. He’s playing really well there, making some tough plays, and those are the pitcher’s best friend, man,” Counsell said about Shaw’s impressive defense. “You make a pitch, somebody hits it hard and you get an out on it. It’s a big deal for pitching.”

Shaw, who was on the Cubs’ Opening Day roster as the starting third baseman, struggled to start his major league career. He was optioned to Triple-A Iowa on April 14, but his stay wasn’t long, as he was recalled May 19.

Since his return to the Cubs, Shaw has provided stellar defense at the hot corner. With a fielding percentage of .959 in 30 games he’s played, Shaw’s defense is above average when balls are fielded, resulting in outs at 90 percent, with the league average at 85 percent.

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Cubs first baseman Michael Busch was able to rewatch Shaw’s first big play Sunday on the Wrigley video board.

“The first one — it’s tough for me because I’m running to the base but being able to watch up on replay — to be able to control that hop and be able to make that play with a strong throw, it’s (an) amazing play,” Busch said. “Those plays on the corners, you know (that if) you don’t make those plays, sometimes they can be doubles. And especially with the day like today, where you know Jamo’s (Jameson Taillon) doing his thing, you know those were two huge plays.”

As Shaw continues to gain major league experience, it’s clear he’s becoming better and better. Teammates are taking notice, seeing how Shaw works on improving his play and that he has remained level-headed during the first two months of the season.

“He’s the same guy every day, goes about his business and works extremely hard,” Busch said. “Him and (Cubs infield defense coach Jonathan) Mota have been working extremely hard over there — I know it’s a semi-new position, if I’m not mistaken, but he’s done an extremely good job.

“It’s not an easy position to play, and to play at a level that he’s doing it the past couple weeks is pretty amazing to watch. And especially (with Shaw) and going up, going down, coming back up, just to be able to do that at such a high level is pretty amazing.”