MILWAUKEE: It’s been three years since Cole Hamels wet cold water with the idea that the Brewers-Cubs were classified as rivalry, but it’s sure to start warming up now.
Puppy pitcher Willson Contreras was attacked by a brewer pitcher for the third time in five games this season. I was not happy. Brandon Woodruff, a brewery maker, had to dance off the road when Ryan Tepera’s quick ball, which saved the puppies, burned behind Woodruff’s legs. I wasn’t happy either.
This sparked warnings for both banks before Contreras had the final say at American Family Field, which broke a long long run at home in the eighth inning and then dramatically threw the bat and pushed the crowd as it circled the bases on the way to win 3-2 puppies.
“It’s good to close them,” Contreras said. “When they make me squirm, I don’t really care. But, you don’t feel sensitive when I do something like that. … Tonight, we sent you a message. I think they chose the wrong guy to shoot. a message has been sent “.
Here’s the source of the recent tensions from the puppies ’point of view: in the last two seasons, no baseball player has been affected by throws more often by a single opponent than Contreras by the Brewers. They’re seven times and counting, including a terrifying moment last week at Wrigley Field when a 93-mph fastball from the 2020 National Rookie League of the Year Devin Williams hit Contreras in the helmet.
Rather remarkable, Contreras stood up and grabbed the base with just a word. But two days later, when Contreras was beaten again by brewers’ newcomer Brad Boxberger, words were exchanged, banks were cleaned, and Contreras was subsequently fined MLB.
On Tuesday, Contreras checked a turn in the fourth inning and was hit in the hand by a Woodruff throw. The Brewers argued with home referee Mike Estabrook that Contreras actually did swing, but was denied.
“It’s the number seven of the last 13 or 14 games,” Contreras said. “And I know a lot of these releases are unintentional. I’ve been talking a lot with [Omar] Narváez, its receiver. We are very good friends. We are very close. And I said, ‘I know you’re not trying to hit me, but buddy, that frustrates any player. And I try to take care of myself.
“I was trying to send a message in the last series at home. And then they fined me. “
Brewers say they have to throw Contreras inside, even though the plate fills up and is known to tilt at times. The numbers are backed up, showing Contreras’ weakest damage up and in, and their hot spots on the outside of the board.
“We’re trying to get into it and we’re losing points a bit,” said Craig Counsell, brewing manager. “He’s on the plate, so there’s a little less error, that’s what I would say. But we’ll keep throwing inside. We have to be able to do that.”
Woodruff said: “There was no intention. It has no purpose. “
An inning later, Tepera and the Cubs also threw themselves inside. Very, very deep inside.
With Woodruff, a right-handed but left-hitting pitcher, on the fifth plate, Tepera’s first throw was a 94 mph fast ball behind Woodruff’s legs. Woodruff immediately turned to Tepera and strongly expressed his displeasure.
“It simply came to our notice then. I didn’t know anything about it, “said Contreras.
The brewers seemed to believe otherwise.
“A field like this worries 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. We have a long season. We have to play these guys a lot more times. I’ll just let you form your own opinion about it.”
Accredit all the players involved to stay calm. Several puppies briefly began converging on the mound to support Tepera before retreating. Brewers on the bench and outside the bullring drew attention, but no one loaded the field.
“I’m very happy,” Cubs manager David Ross said. “I think some things have gone back and forth, either on purpose or by accident. It’s very difficult in today’s game with the way the guys throw and where it is. I didn’t see how far I was behind. of him or in front of him, I didn’t know it from my angle, but I’m glad the referees jumped in and the benches didn’t clarify it. This is the main thing in these scenarios and in the situation we are in. the pandemic “.
Before resuming play, Woodruff and Contreras spoke briefly, and Contreras hit Woodruff in the back. He returned to baseball.
How did Woodruff stay calm?
“Credit to my parents,” he said, smiling. “They raised me well. I guess at first it was a little hot. But reacting won’t fix anything, you know? You just have to go out and throw them, take them out and let that talk. I’ve never thrown myself before. For so crazy. “