Cardinals pitcher Genesis Cabrera, manager Oliver Marmol have tense confrontation during pitching change
St. Louis Cardinals reliever Genesis Cabrera let his emotions get the best of him Friday night. As Cabrera was removed from the game in the ninth inning, he slammed the ball on the ground, leading to a tense confrontation with manager Oliver Marmol.
The incident occurred during the Cardinals' 7-3 win over the Cincinnati Reds. Cabrera entered the contest in the eighth inning, picking up two outs to end the frame. Marmol left Cabrera in the game to finish things off in the ninth, and that's when things started to go downhill.
Cabrera allowed two straight singles to open the ninth. With the Cardinals up by four runs, Marmol decided to make a pitching change to secure the victory. As Marmol approached the mound, Cabrera slammed the ball into the ground. Marmol caught the ball after it bounced, but grabbed Cabrera before he could walk off the field. The two shared a brief exchange before Cabrera exited the contest.
Marmol addressed the situation after the game, saying Cabrera was frustrated with his recent performance. Marmol downplayed the confrontation, saying, "[Cabrera will] be just fine."
Marmol on Cabrera showing frustration after getting pulled in the ninth: "He's a little frustrated with how the last couple of days have gone. At the same time, your ego can't get in the way of being a professional. I've known him a long time, he'll be just fine."#STLCards pic.twitter.com/oOaxOmfC4h
— Bally Sports Midwest (@BallySportsMW) July 16, 2022
After exiting the game, Cabrera spoke to Cardinals legend Albert Pujols in the dugout. Marmol was asked about that after the game, and said the Cardinals have a good group of veteran players who will "address it."
It was a strong response from Marmol, who walked a fine line between reprimanding Cabrera and picking up his pitcher. Marmol even credited Cabrera's mentality after the game, saying, "The kid’s a competitor, he wants to be in there. You can’t fault him for that."
Cabrera, 25, has a 2.60 ERA over 34 2/3 innings.
With Cabrera out of the game, Ryan Helsley closed things out without allowing a run. The Cardinals won the contest 7-3.
The win moves the Cardinals to 49-44 on the season. They sit two games behind the Milwaukee Brewers for the division lead and are in strong position to secure a wild-card spot in the National League.
