Cubs and Rockies stars let out frustrations with ump-charging meltdowns
After meeting in the National League wild-card game last season, the Chicago Cubs and Colorado Rockies have both gotten off to disappointing starts in 2019.
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On Saturday, the frustrations of both teams seemingly boiled over as Cubs outfielder Kyle Schwarber and Rockies All-Star third baseman Nolan Arenado got into heated confrontations with umpires over perceived missed calls.
Kyle Schwarber has to be restrained
Schwarber was the decisive batter during Saturday’s Angels-Cubs game at Wrigley Field. With the bases loaded, two outs and the Cubs down by one run, Schwarber stepped to the plate against Angels closer Cody Allen in the bottom of the ninth inning.
Schwarber worked the count full, then attempted to check his swing on a pitch in the dirt. The struggling Cubs slugger thought he held up. Third base umpire Gabe Morales disagreed. Morales rang Schwarber up on the appeal, which sent Schwarber into a fit of rage.
Morales actually ejected Schwarber, which is funny because at that point the game was over.
While we don’t endorse reactions like this, it does look like Schwarber had a legit argument.
No swing would have meant a walk. A walk would have meant a run. A run would have tied the game and given Chicago a golden opportunity to win. Instead, they lost the game 6-5 and fell to 5-9 on the young season.
It also adds to Schwarber’s frustration at the plate. He’s only batting .192 so far in 2019.
Nolan Arenado goes ballistic
It was a similar scene in San Francisco.
Rockies star Nolan Arenado was livid after home plate umpire D.J. Reyburn called him out on a pitch that was clearly off the plate.
Nolan Arenado was HEATED after this pitch was called a strike. pic.twitter.com/CgRTur6r2Z
— FOX Sports: MLB (@MLBONFOX) April 13, 2019
Yikes.
Despite getting in Reyburn’s face, slamming his bat and slamming his helmet, all of which could be grounds for an ejection, Arenado was allowed to remain in the game. Perhaps that’s because Reyburn immediately realized he missed the call.
Regardless, it didn’t do much to quell Colorado’s frustration. The Rockies went on to lose the game 5-2, and are now 3-12 on the season.
Clearly, both teams have problems that go well beyond the umpires. In the Rockies case, it’s an offense that’s only averaged 2.8 runs per games. For the Cubs, it’s a pitching staff and defense that both rank bottom six in MLB. But with the pressure mounting as their division foes rack up wins, it’s not surprising to see these emotions coming out.
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