MILWAUKEE – It’s been three years since Cole Hamels drew cold water on the idea that the Brewers-Cubs have qualified as a rivalry, but it’s sure to start heating up now.
Chicken catcher Willson Contreras has been caught by a pitcher Brewers for the third time in five games this season. He was not happy. Brandon Woodruff, a brewer, had to dance on the road when Cubs lifeguard Ryan Tepera, at 95 mph, closed behind Woodruff’s feet. He wasn’t happy either.
This led to warnings for both banks before Contreras had the final say at American Family Field, crushing a long home run in the eighth inning and then dramatically throwing the bat and pushing the crowd as they circled the bases on their way to win 3- 2 Cubs.
“It feels good to close them,” Contreras said. “When he boos me, I don’t really care. But, you don’t feel sensitive when I do something like that. … Tonight, I sent a message. I think they chose the wrong guy to throw. That was a Message sent. “
Here is the source of recent tensions from the Cubs’ point of view: In the last two seasons, no baseball player has been hit by pitches more often than a single opponent than Contreras has been hit by the Brewers. It’s seven times and it counts, including a scary moment last week at Wrigley Field, when a 93km / h fast ball from Rookie of the Year in the 2020 National League, Devin Williams, hit Contreras in the helmet.
Rather remarkably, Contreras stood up and took his base with just one word. But two days later, when Contreras was hit again by Brewers’ newcomer Brad Boxberger, words were exchanged, the banks moved away, and Contreras later filed a fine from MLB.
On Tuesday, Contreras checked a swing in the fourth half and was hit in the hand by a pitch from Woodruff. Brewers argued with referee Mike Estabrook that Contreras was in fact made swing, but were refused.
“This is number seven in the last 13 or 14 games,” Contreras said. “And I know that many of these blows are not intentional. I talked a lot with [Omar] Narváez, their captor. We are very good friends. We are very close. And I said, “I know you’re not trying to hit me, but bro, that frustrates any player. And I try to take care of myself.
“I was trying to send a message to the last series at home. And then I was fined. “
Brewers say he has to throw Contreras inside, even if he crams his plate and is known to occasionally bow. The numbers support this, showing Contreras’ weakest damage up and in, as well as his hot spots on the outside of the board.
“We’re trying to get in there and we’re missing a little bit,” said Craig Counsell, the brewery manager. “He is on the plate, so I would say a little less room for error. But we will continue to throw in. We need to be able to do this. ”
Woodruff said: “There was no intention. Without purpose. ”
One half later, Tepera and the Cubs threw in as well. Very, very inside.
With Woodruff, a right-handed but left-handed pitcher on the plateau in the fifth, Tepera’s first step was a 94 mph fast ball behind Woodruff’s feet. Woodruff immediately turned to Tepera and expressed his displeasure.
“It simply came to our notice then. I didn’t know anything about it, “said Contreras.
Brewers seemed to think otherwise.
“Such a presentation is about me, yes,” Counsell said.
“I mean, I think everyone can read the situation of the game and form their own opinion,” Woodruff said. “It’s over and we’re done. We have a long season. We have to play these guys. A bunch of times. I’ll just let you form your own opinion about it.”
Accredit all the players involved that they have kept their cool. Several chicks began to converge briefly on the mound in support of Tepera before retreating. The Brewers players spent the break getting a rerun of the team’s tactical organization and regained a solid organization when the game started again.
“I’m extremely happy,” said Cubs manager David Ross. “I think some of them went back and forth, whether it was intentional or accidental. It’s so hard in today’s game how hard the boys throw and where they are. I didn’t see how far they were behind him. or in front of him – I couldn’t figure it out from my angle. But I’m glad the referees jumped on him and the banks didn’t clear up. That’s the main thing in these scenarios and in the situation of the pandemic. . “
Before resuming play, Woodruff and Contreras spoke briefly, and Contreras beat Woodruff on the back. Baseball is back.
How did Woodruff stay calm?
“Credit to my parents,” he said with a smile. “I was raised right. I think I was a little hot at first. But reacting won’t solve anything, you know? And let that talk. I’ve never been thrown away before.” So, crazy. “