Plunked again, Contreras hits back with HR, Cubs beat Brews

MILWAUKEE (AP) — Willson Contreras struck back after getting plunked again by the Brewers, hitting a two-run homer in the eighth inning and enjoying his trip around the bases as the Chicago Cubs rallied past Milwaukee 3-2 on Tuesday night.

Contreras, who has already been hit by a pitch from the Brewers three times this season, got his revenge when he hit a towering drive to left-center off Brent Suter (0-1). The long drive delighted the large contingent of Cubs fans at Milwaukee’s American Family Field.

After leaving the batter’s box, Contreras turned himself around and flipped his bat back toward the Cubs dugout before beginning his trot.

Contreras put his finger to his lips several times as he rounded the bases, as if to hush Milwaukee fans. He walked the last couple of steps to the plate.

Brewers starter Brandon Woodruff hit Contreras in the fourth inning. Contreras also was hit by pitches from Milwaukee’s Devin Williams and Brad Boxberger during the Cubs-Brewers series at Wrigley Field.

This latest incident led to a heated moment between these two NL Central rivals, who are facing off nine times this month.

When Woodruff was at the plate in the fifth inning, Cubs reliever Ryan Tepera threw behind him. Woodruff and Tepera exchanged words afterward.

The Brewers produced a two-out threat in the bottom of the eighth when Andrew Chafin walked Keston Hiura and hit Travis Shaw with a pitch, but Craig Kimbrel got Avisaíl García to hit an inning-ending bouncer to third.

Kimbrel then worked around a two-out walk in the ninth to earn his third save. Pedro Strop (1-0) earned the win with one inning of shutout relief.

Milwaukee collected just three hits against a series of six Cubs pitchers. The Brewers' only runs came on Luis Urías’ two-run homer in the second...

source https://www.chron.com/sports/article/Plunked-again-Contreras-hits-back-with-HR-Cubs-16099156.php