Molina, Hamels spark benches-clearing fracas at Cards-Cubs

Posted September 28, 2019 7:00 am

By DAVID SOLOMON

St. Louis Cardinals' Yadier Molina, second from left, is held back by teammate Matt Carpenter during a bench-clearing argument after Molina was hit by a pitch during the second inning of a baseball game against the Chicago Cubs, Saturday, Sept. 28, 2019, in St. Louis. (AP Photo/Scott Kane) The Associated Press

ST. LOUIS (AP) - Cardinals star Yadier Molina shouted at Cubs left-hander Cole Hamels after being grazed by a fastball, leading the benches and bullpens to clear Saturday night.

Molina was awarded first base in the second inning after Hamels' 91 mph pitch clipped his left arm. He took a few steps toward first and stared at Hamels, then began barking at him and walked toward the mound. Cubs catcher Jonathan Lucroy stepped between Molina and Hamels while they jawed, and St. Louis teammate Matt Carpenter dragged Molina away while players poured onto the field.

No punches were thrown and no warnings or ejections issued following the standoff.

Plate umpire and crew chief Fieldin Culbreth had an extended conversation with Cardinals starter Adam Wainwright before he took the mound to start the third inning.

St. Louis entered play one game ahead of the Milwaukee Brewers in the NL Central with two games remaining. Chicago was eliminated from postseason play Monday, one day after the Cardinals swept a four-game series from the Cubs at Wrigley Field.

___

More AP MLB: https://apnews.com/MLB and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

St. Louis Cardinals' Yadier Molina (4), far left, is pushed from a bench-clearing argument by teammate Matt Carpenter after he was hit by pitch during the second inning of a baseball game against the Chicago Cubs, Saturday, Sept. 28, 2019, in St. Louis. (AP Photo/Scott Kane) The Associated Press

St. Louis Cardinals' Yadier Molina, center, walks toward first base as the rest of his teammates walk back to the dugout after a bench-clearing argument after he was hit by pitch during the second inning of a baseball game against the Chicago Cubs, Saturday, Sept. 28, 2019, in St. Louis. (AP Photo/Scott Kane) The Associated Press

Article Comments

Article Comments

Guidelines: Keep it civil and on topic; no profanity, vulgarity, slurs or personal attacks. People who harass others or joke about tragedies will be blocked. If a comment violates these standards or our terms of service, click the "flag" link in the lower-right corner of the comment box. To find our more, read our FAQ.