It's only April, but sparks are already flying between two of baseball's veterans.
Cardinals designated hitter Willson Contreras and Diamondbacks pitcher Madison Bumgarner went back and forth in the middle of an at bat Wednesday afternoon, culminating with Contreras emphatically flipping his bat after drawing his seventh walk of the season.
In his at bat leading off the third inning, Contreras fouled a ball off home plate umpire Junior Valentine’s mask with the game tied 3–3. As he stepped out of the box, the three-time All-Star stared down the 2014 World Series MVP and yelled, “Hey! Shut the f--- up!”
After yelling twice more at Bumgarner, Contreras was calmed down by Valentine and Arizona catcher José Herrera.
Willson Contreras and Madison Bumgarner shared some unfriendly words in the middle of the at-bat. pic.twitter.com/zJcRIWvRxX
— Bally Sports Arizona (@BALLYSPORTSAZ) April 19, 2023
When Bumgarner walked him, Contreras responded with a bat flip fit for a home run.
Willson Contreras and Madison Bumgarner were jawing a bit during Contreras' at-bat, which probably explains this bat flip on a walk pic.twitter.com/Xn8VaPD0r2
— Casey Drottar (@CDrottar19) April 19, 2023
Things went from bad to worse for Bumgarner that very inning. The four-time All-Star pitcher surrendered four runs, culminating in a two-out, three-run home run by shortstop Tommy Edman that staked St. Louis to a 7–3 lead.
