MILWAUKEE – It’s been three years since Cole Hamels dampened cold water on the idea that Brewers-Cubs qualified as a rival, but it’s starting to get hot now.
Cub catcher Willson Contreras has been looted by a Brewers pitcher for the third time in five games this season. He was not happy. The brewery bait, Brandon Woodruff, had to dance out of the way when Cubs reliever Ryan Tepera’s 95 km / h speed ball zipped behind Woodruff’s legs. He was not happy either.
This led to warnings for both banks before Contreras had the final say on American Family Field, smashing a long, continuous home game in the eighth innings and then throwing his bat dramatically and shaking the crowd as he headed for a base. won by 3-2 Cubs.
“It feels good to keep them closed,” Contreras said. “If they’re my boom, I do not really care. But do not get sensitive when I do something like that … Tonight we sent a message. I think they chose the wrong guy to throw after. It was’ sent a message. “
Here’s the source of the recent tension from the Cubs’ point of view: In the last two seasons, no baseball player has been hit more frequently by an opponent than Contreras by the Brewers. That’s seven counts, including a narrow moment last week at Wrigley Field when a 93km / h speed ball from National League Rookie of the Year, Devin Williams, hit Contreras in the helmet.
Quite strikingly, Contreras barely stood a word and took his base. But two days later, when Contreras was hit again by Brewers rookie Brad Boxberger, words were exchanged, the banks cleared and Contreras was later fined by MLB.
On Tuesday, Contreras checked a swing in the fourth inning and was struck on the hand by a pitch from Woodruff. The Brewers argued with Mike Estabrook, the home referee, that Contreras was in fact done swing, but was refused.
“It’s number seven in the last 13 or 14 games,” Contreras said. ‘And I know that many of the hits are not intentional. I have been with a lot [Omar] Narváez, their catcher. We are really good friends. We’re really close. And I said to him, ‘I know you’re not trying to hit me, but brother, this is something that frustrates any player. And I try to take care of myself. ‘
‘I tried to send a message at home the last series. And then I get a fine. ‘
The Brewers say they have to throw Contreras inside, even though he’s sitting on the plate and is sometimes known to lean in. The numbers confirm this, showing Contreras’ worst damage inside and out, and his hot zones on the outside of the plate.
“We’re trying to get there and we’re missing some places,” said Brewers manager Craig Counsell. “He’s on the board, so there’s a little less room for error,” I would say. But we are going to keep hitting inside. We need to be able to do that. ”
Woodruff said: ‘There was no intention. No purpose. ”
A turn later, Tepera and the Cubs also struck inside. Very, very inside.
With Woodruff, a right-handed pitcher but left-handed batter, Tepera’s first pitch was a fast ball of 94 km / h behind Woodruff’s legs. Woodruff immediately turned to Tepera and strongly expressed his displeasure.
“It caught me off guard. I did not know anything about it, “said Contreras.
The Brewers seem to believe otherwise.
“Such a pitch has to do with me, yes,” Counsell said.
“I mean, I think everyone can read the situation of the game and form a kind of opinion,” Woodruff said. “It’s over. We have a long season. We have to play these guys a bunch more times. I’m just letting you form your own opinion about it. ‘
Give recognition to all the players involved that they have kept cool. Several cubs briefly began leaning on the hill in support of Tepera before retreating. Brewers’ players on the bench and outside the bull came to attention, but no one charged the field.
“I’m very happy,” said Cubs manager David Ross. “I think some of this stuff goes back and forth, whether it’s intentional or accidental. It’s so hard in today’s game with how hard guys throw and where it’s. Have not seen how far it’s behind him or in front. “He was not – I could not see it out of my corner. But I’m glad the referees jumped on top of it and that benches did not clean up. In those scenarios and the situation we are in with the pandemic.”
Before the game resumed, Woodruff and Contreras chatted briefly, and Contreras beat Woodruff on the back. It was back to baseball.
How did Woodruff stay calm?
“I pay homage to my parents,” he said, smiling. “I was raised right. I first think I was a little hot. But responding is not going to solve anything. and let it do the talking. I’ve never been thrown before. So, mal. ‘