Maybe Yadier Molina was trying to fire up the Cardinals? Maybe he had a rough day or maybe he was still mad about getting robbed of a home run on Friday?
Regardless of the reason, Molina looked pretty stupid sparking a benches-clearing incident during Saturday night’s game, when Cole Hamels grazed him on the left elbow in the second inning.
Hamels was frustrated giving away the free base, looking off in frustration, while Molina focussed his eyes on the mound and then started to yell at the Cubs pitcher. Hamels didn’t back down and the benches emptied in St. Louis.
No punches were thrown and despite threatening to come back late in the game, the Cardinals lost their second straight to the Cubs.
As for Molina’s reaction? Yeah, pretty dumb. If anything, it lit a fire under the Cubs, who hit four home runs and won 8-6.
Via NBC Sports Chicago.
“I dunno, I thought it was stupid,” Cubs reliever Brandon Kintzler said. “Maybe Yadi’s trying to fire his team up. The guy’s smart; he knows what he’s doing. I was in the hot tub, so I didn’t really know what was happening. I should’ve run out with my sliders on.”
“Yeah, I think [the benches-clearing incident sparked us] a little bit,” said Ian Happ.
Ian Happ hit two more home runs on Saturday, continuing his incredible performance in the past couple weeks.
As for Hamels, he wasn’t going to back down when he didn’t do anything wrong.
Well, the Cubs played spoiler for one more day, as the Cardinals still need a win or a Brewers loss on Sunday to clinch the division.
If the Cubs sweep the Cardinals and the Brewers win on Sunday, then there will be a game 163 for the second straight season to determine the NL central division champions.
Yet, things are looking good for St. Louis, as the Cardinals will send out their ace Jack Flaherty. And the Cubs will be starting?
Derek Holland hasn’t pitched more than three innings since April, so expect a long parade of bullpen arms to follow in the season finale.
