The Chicago Cubs had to rally from a 2-0 deficit on Monday to win their second-straight game and avoid losing to the San Diego Padres for the fourth time this season.
Chicago got their first run on an Anthony Rizzo sacrifice fly in the third inning. They then took the lead off a Willson Contreras home run and Albert Almora double in the seventh.
But it was a play from Anthony Rizzo in the sixth inning that had the Padres upset.
Rizzo was thrown out at the plate on a fly ball out by Kris Bryant in the bottom of the sixth inning. On the play, Rizzo ran over catcher Austin Hedges.
Check it out:
VIDEO: @ARizzo44 is out running over @Pades C Austin Hedges, who is later removed from the game due to injury sustained in this collision. pic.twitter.com/Oeucyz0ZTC
— Billy Krumb (@ClubhouseCancer) June 20, 2017
Hedges had to leave the game with an injury while Rizzo stayed in the game. Following the Cubs 3-2 win, Padres manager Andy Green called it a cheap shot:
Andy Green says Anthony Rizzo’s slide was a ‘cheap shot’ pic.twitter.com/H1IEcqLRF4
— FOX Sports San Diego (@FOXSportsSD) June 20, 2017
Some Padres beat writers were in agreement and lashed out on Rizzo, Maddon and the Cubs after the game. Here’s a little of what they said:
I'm having a hard time reckoning what's going on with the Cubs tonight. Last year's darlings look like petulant bullies. Go Brewers!
— Bill Center (@billcenter) June 20, 2017
Green made it clear he doesn't think Rizzo is a dirty player. But he understandably thinks his (franchise) catcher should be protected.
— AJ Cassavell (@AJCassavell) June 20, 2017
I have always respected Joe Maddon . . . until listening to him just now.
— Bill Center (@billcenter) June 20, 2017
Joe Maddon is either blind or a liar on the Rizzo-Hedges collision. Said: "I loved it." Only problem is that Hedges wasn't blocking plate.
— Bill Center (@billcenter) June 20, 2017
MLB needs to reconsider bad home plate rule that only puts runners and catchers in uncertain situations. May expose more unjuries than helps
— Bob Scanlan (@heyscan) June 20, 2017
You can see more reaction in the replies to those tweets. As for Rizzo, he spoke on the incident following the game and offered his side of the play:
Rizzo on home-plate collision: “I’ve talked to a lot of umpires about this rule. My understanding is: If they have the ball, it’s game on."
— Patrick Mooney (@PJ_Mooney) June 20, 2017
Tomorrow should be interesting. We will see if the Padres decide to retaliate against Rizzo, who will likely be leading off, again.
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1 Comment
What? Rizzo did not stop in his tracks? Ohhhhhmy! Rizzo was in the base path as he was not addressed by the ump (Ejected). The catcher clearly moved tward his path causing the collision. The rule should be at any base the defense stays out of the base path by positioing to receive the ball and reach to make the tag. Anything else both players suffer the consequences.