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Cubs closer Pedro Strop says he pitched as police chased his stolen car

Chicago Cubs relief pitcher Pedro Strop works against the Los Angeles Dodgers in the ninth inning at Wrigley Field in Chicago on Wednesday, April 24, 2019. The Cubs won, 7-6. (Chris Sweda/Chicago Tribune/TNS via Getty Images)

Chicago Cubs closer Pedro Strop got his third save of the season Wednesday night against the Dodgers, striking out Kiké Hernandez and inducing a double play from Justin Turner to finish out a 7-6 win.

The scoreless inning improved Strop’s ERA to 3.52, something the Cubs likely wanted to see with Brandon Morrow still out indefinitely.

It seemed like just another day, until Strop told ESPN’s Jesse Rogers after the game that he arrived rather late to the game. Apparently, as Strop prepared to pitch, police officers were hunting down his car:

Cubs closer Pedro Strop had quite the day/night. His car was stolen before the game so he was dealing with that "until the fourth inning" when he told police "I might have to pitch. I have to go." Says the car was later involved in a police chase. He was still dealing with the aftermath not long after securing the save in the Cubs 7-6 win over the Dodgers.

Oh.

There have been plenty of distractions for pitchers to face in the past, but this one has to rank up there. Sadly, Strop’s classic excuse (“I might have to pitch. I have to go.”) robbed us of a possible Pedro Strop (car stolen) designation for the game.

The only question remaining is what went faster during the game: Strop’s 95 mph fastball or his car?

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