Tensions boiled over during a Reds vs. Cubs doubleheader that saw multiple ejections, some questionable calls, and plenty of chirping. Things kicked off when Anthony Rizzo took Trevor Bauer deep twice in game one, which clearly got under the Reds’ skin. In game two, a pitch flew up near Rizzo’s head. The pitcher said it slipped, but the Cubs weren’t buying it. Both benches got warned even though it was the Reds who threw the high fastball, frustrating the Cubs’ bench and coaching staff.
It escalated from there. Arguments kept flaring, and eventually the Reds’ catching coach got tossed. Cubs manager David Ross wasn’t happy with how the umpires handled the situation, saying they were escalating things instead of calming them down. Later, another high and tight pitch brought more chirping from both sides. Reds veterans Joey Votto and Jesse Winker stepped in after Rizzo appeared to mouth off to Reds manager David Bell. The ump overreacted and tossed both Votto and Winker, then ejected Bell for good measure. Even Bell was stunned, asking if the ump really just threw out three people back-to-back.
After the game, it was clear both teams were drawing lines over respect and sticking up for their own. Votto told Rizzo not to mouth off to their manager. Rizzo seemed to shrug it off. No punches thrown, but plenty of warnings, shouting, and drama. In the end, three Reds were tossed, and the Cubs just stood there like, “What was that?” A lot of chaos, not a lot of baseball.