Chicago Cubs reliever Brandon Kintzler called Yadier Molina “stupid” for the catcher’s reaction to being hit by a pitch during Saturday’s game.
Molina was grazed on the elbow by a pitch from Cole Hamels in the bottom of the second inning and stared down the pitcher. The two traded words, which led to players congregating around them, though nothing much happened.
Considering how little damage was done to Molina with the pitch — and how Hamels reacted — Kintzler thought Molina was “stupid.”
Kintzler on Molina taking umbrage at being “hit” by a pitch and causing a bench-clearing incident: “I thought it was stupid. Maybe Yadi’s trying to fire his team up. The guy’s smart; he knows what he’s doing.”
— Gordon Wittenmyer (@GDubCub) September 29, 2019
Kintzler has it right. Molina certainly overreacted, but it was probably done to try firing up his team. The Cardinals lost 8-6 and have now dropped four in a row. They have a 1-game lead over the Brewers in the NL Central and face getting swept by the Cubs on Sunday.
Molina was probably trying to wake up his club with his reaction, though that didn’t pay off. Kintzler ended up wagging his finger at the Cardinals after closing out the win.
