Cardinals’ Willson Contreras flips bat on walk after heated exchange with Diamondbacks' Madison Bumgarner
Bumgarner allowed 7 earned runs in 3 innings
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}Arizona Diamondbacks pitcher Madison Bumgarner can’t be pleased after allowing seven earned runs in just three innings against the St. Louis Cardinals Wednesday afternoon.
He definitely was not happy with Cardinals catcher Willson Contreras in the bottom of the third inning.
The St. Louis Cardinals' Willson Contreras, center, is held back by home plate umpire Junior Valentin, left, as Contreras talks with Arizona Diamondbacks catcher Jose Herrera, right, during the third inning of a game Wednesday, April 19, 2023, in St. Louis. (AP Photo/Jeff Roberson)
After a big swing and a miss by Contreras on an 88-mph four-seam fastball, Contreras let out an audible sound on a pitch he wished he had back.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}METS' MAX SCHERZER EJECTED AFTER HEATED CONVERSATION DURING SUBSTANCE CHECK
Bumgarner did not seem to appreciate the reaction by Contreras, and the two players exchanged words. Cameras appeared to catch the left-handed pitcher mouthing profanities toward the Cardinals catcher.
Contreras ended up working a leadoff walk, sending his bat flying into the air with a bat flip before making his way to first base.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}It was the beginning of a brutal inning for Bumgarner, who gave up four runs in the third, capped by a three-run home run by Cardinals' shortstop Tommy Edman.
"So nice to end the homestand on that note, and hopefully we can keep that momentum going," Edman said.
Arizona Diamondbacks starting pitcher Madison Bumgarner throws during the first inning of a game against the St. Louis Cardinals Wednesday, April 19, 2023, in St. Louis. (AP Photo/Jeff Roberson)
Bumgarner did not return to the mound for the fourth inning, and the Cardinals went on to win, 14-5.
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The left-hander now has an ERA of 10.26 through four starts, falling to 0-3 on the year.
In Bumgarner’s last start against the Miami Marlins, the lefty allowed five earned runs on nine hits in five innings, adding to his rough start to the season.
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Madison Bumgarner of the Arizona Diamondbacks delivers a pitch against the St. Louis Cardinals in the first inning at Busch Stadium April 19, 2023, in St Louis, Mo. (Dilip Vishwanat/Getty Images)
"The empathetic side of me hurts for him," Diamondbacks manager Torey Lovullo said Wednesday. "I want every pitcher to do well, and I know how hard he’s working. He’s just grinding. And the other side of me is extremely frustrated. I want to see everybody do well and help us win baseball games and, unfortunately, that didn’t happen."
The Cardinals avoided being swept with the win Wednesday, improving to 8-11 on the year.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}The Associated Press contributed to this report