ST. LOUIS — A heated rivalry between the Chicago Cubs and the St. Louis Cardinals took a dangerous turn in the first inning of Thursday night’s game, as tempers flared and a player suffered a serious injury.
The game got off to a scorching start, with a first-pitch temperature of 99 degrees. It didn’t take long for tensions to boil over between the two teams. Cubs’ batter Ian Happ’s backswing accidentally struck Cardinals catcher Willson Contreras in the helmet, causing a deep cut that forced him out of the game.
In a seemingly retaliatory move, Cardinals pitcher Miles Mikolas unleashed a high-speed fastball that narrowly missed Happ on his first pitch following the injury. But his next pitch found its mark, hitting Happ in the rear. This prompted the four umpires to convene on the field, ultimately resulting in Mikolas’ ejection from the game. The incident also led to the ejection of Cardinals manager Oliver Marmol, marking the fifth time he has been thrown out of a game this season. It was the first ejection of Mikolas’ MLB career.
Despite the heated exchange, the Cubs dominated the Cardinals, winning the series opener 10-3. As Mikolas walked off the field, he engaged in a war of words with Chicago’s dugout, while Cardinals pitcher Jack Flaherty gestured towards the opposing team’s bench.
Meanwhile, Contreras, who had left the Cubs to join the rival Cardinals last December, was left bleeding from the head after the unfortunate incident. The impact of Happ’s bat on the right side of Contreras’ helmet knocked him over but thankfully, he did not lose consciousness. The team’s trainer quickly rushed to his aid and applied pressure to the cut in an attempt to stop the bleeding.
With Mikolas ejected, Dakota Hudson took over the pitching duties but struggled to contain the Cubs. Three runs were scored in the first inning, one of which was charged to Mikolas. Dansby Swanson added to the Cubs’ lead by walking with the bases loaded, forcing in a run. Christopher Morel then lined a two-run ground-rule double, extending the Cubs’ advantage to 3-0 early in the game.
Thursday night’s game showcased the intensity and rivalry between the Cubs and Cardinals. The incident serves as a reminder of the risks and consequences that can arise in a passionate and highly competitive sport like baseball.