A verbal exchange took place between Chicago Cubs closer Daniel Palencia and St. Louis Cardinals first baseman and former Cub Willson Contreras in the Cubs’ 3-0 win.
Palencia hit Contreras with a 100 mile per hour fastball up high and Contreras chirped Palencia as he walked to first base.
The hit by pitch made it runners on first and second base with no outs. Palencia proceeded to strike out Nolan Arenado, Thomas Saggese and Nolan Gorman to end the ballgame.
After striking out Gorman, Palencia was fired up and directed words at Contreras which made the benches clear.
Contreras spoke with St. Louis Post-Dispatch’s Derrick Goold regarding the incident on Thursday.
“My reaction was bad,” said Contreras. “I apologize to the Chicago Cubs for the way I reacted… I don’t want to fight them.”
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Palencia also commented on the situation, noting there is no ill-will toward Contreras and it was an intense spot in the game.
“I was pretty hype… I don’t want to hit that guy. I’ve been watching that guy since I was a kid.”
Of course, this all happened after Shota Imanaga returned to action for the first time since May 4. Imanaga dominated the Cardinals to earn his fourth win and the series-split, throwing five scoreless innings and allowing just one hit, one walk and striking out three on 77 pitches.
“Today didn’t really feel like my first start coming back from rehab, it was just, ‘Okay, let’s even up the series,’” said Imanaga through translator Edwin Stanberry.
The Cubs are now 48-33 and hold a three-game lead over the Milwaukee Brewers for first place in the National League Central.
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