Cardinals' Willson Contreras Ejected, Throws Bat At Coach During Game vs Pirates

During a tense game against the Pittsburgh Pirates, St. Louis Cardinals designated hitter Willson Contreras was ejected after disputing a called third strike by umpire Derek Thomas. Contreras reacted angrily, cursing, throwing his bat—which inadvertently struck hitting coach Brant Brown—and later tossing a bucket of Hi-Chew candy onto the field, creating a chaotic scene that required cleanup by team staff. Cardinals manager Oliver Marmol was also ejected following the incident. Despite the outburst, the Cardinals managed to secure a 7-6 victory, improving their record to 65-67. Contreras's actions have raised questions about potential disciplinary measures from Major League Baseball, especially given the intensity of his response to what many considered a correct strike call. This episode marks a significant disruption for the Cardinals as they continue their season, with the possibility of Contreras facing suspension looming.