MILWAUKEE – It’s been three years since Cole doused Hamel’s cold water with the idea that Brewers-Cubs qualified as a rivalry, but it’s definitely starting to heat up now.
Cubs-catcher Willson Contreras was looted for the third time in five games this season by a Brewers-pitcher. He was not happy. Brewers ace Brandon Woodruff had to dance out of the way when Cubs reliever Ryan Tepera zipped the 95 mph fastball behind Woodruff’s legs. He was not happy either.
That sparked warnings to both benches before Contreras had the final say at American Family Field, hit a long, leading home run in the eighth inning, then dramatically threw his bat and silenced the crowd as he circled the bases on his way to victory from 3-2 Cubs.
“It feels good to silence them,” Contreras said. “If they call me names, I don’t really care. But don’t be sensitive if I do something like that. … Tonight we messaged. I think they picked the wrong guy to throw at. Sent a message. . “
This is the source of the recent tensions from the Cubs standpoint: In the past two seasons, no player in baseball has been hit by a single opponent on pitches more often than Contreras by the Brewers. It’s seven times and it counts, including a scary moment last week at Wrigley Field when a 93mph fastball from 2020 National League Rookie of the Year hit Devin Williams Contreras in the helmet.
It was remarkable that Contreras got up and conquered his base with hardly a word. But two days later, when Contreras was hit again by Brewers newcomer Brad Boxberger, words were exchanged, the banks were cleared, and Contreras was later fined by MLB.
On Tuesday, Contreras checked a swing in the fourth inning and was hit on the hand by a pitch by Woodruff. The Brewers argued with home base referee Mike Estabrook that Contreras actually did swing, but were denied.
“That’s number seven in the last 13 or 14 games,” said Contreras. “And I know a lot of those hit-by pitches aren’t intentional. I’ve talked to a lot [Omar] Narváez, their catcher. We are really good friends. We are very close. And I said to him, ‘I know you guys aren’t trying to hit me, but bro, that’s something that frustrates every player. And I try to take care of myself. ‘
“I tried to message the previous series at home. And then I was fined. “
The brewers say they should throw in Contreras, even though he’s busy on the plate and has been known to lean forward from time to time. The numbers support that and show Contreras’ weakest damage up and in, and his hot zones on the outside of the plate.
“We’re trying to get in there and we’re missing spots a little bit,” said Brewers manager Craig Counsell. “He’s on the record, so there’s a little less room for mistakes there, I’d say. But we keep pitching indoors. We should be able to do that. “
Woodruff said, “There was no intention. No purpose. “
An inning later, Tepera and the Cubs also pitched in. Very much inside.
With Woodruff, a righthanded pitcher but lefthanded batter, on the plate in the fifth, Tepera’s first pitch was a 100mph fastball behind Woodruff’s legs. Woodruff immediately turned to Tepera and strongly expressed his displeasure.
‘That took me by surprise. I didn’t know about it, ”said Contreras.
The Brouwers seemed to believe otherwise.
“A pitch like that worries me,” said Counsell.
“I mean, I think anyone can read the situation of the game and form your own opinion,” Woodruff said. “It’s over. We have a long season. We have to play against these guys. A few more times. I’ll just let you form your own opinion on this.”
Give credit to all involved players for keeping their cool. Several cubs began to congregate briefly on the hill in support of Tepera before retreating. Brewers on the bench and outside in the bullpen came to the fore, but no one attacked the field.
“I am extremely happy,” said Cubs manager David Ross. “I think some of that has gone back and forth, whether on purpose or accidentally. It’s so difficult in today’s game with how hard guys throw and where that is. Didn’t see how far behind him or for him it was – I couldn’t see it from my angle. But I’m glad the referees jumped on it and the banks didn’t make it clear. That’s the most important thing in those scenarios, and the situation we’re in with the pandemic. “
Before the game resumed, Woodruff and Contreras spoke briefly, and Contreras patted Woodruff on the back. It was back to baseball.
How did Woodruff keep his cool?
“Thanks to my parents,” he said, smiling. “I was brought up well. I think I was a little excited at first. But reacting doesn’t solve anything, you know? Just go back out and pitch, get them out. And let that do the talking. I’ve never been on before. thrown the fire. So crazy. “