Tensions between the Cubs and the Rockies flared again, carrying over from last season when Chris Bryant took a scary shot to the helmet. Fast forward to this series, Bryant got hit twice more — once on a changeup, once on a fastball — both times from a young Rockies pitcher in just his second career start. The Cubs didn’t like it, and neither did a loud fan behind the plate who called out the repeat hits. Things escalated when a Rockies pitcher threw up and in on Javier Báez, nearly sending him to the dirt. The Cubs responded the old-school way. Cole Hamels drilled the Rockies’ best hitter, who sold the hit like it deserved an Oscar. Bryant and the Cubs dugout laughed it off, saying it was too much.
Then things really got out of hand. Another Rockies pitcher plunked Hamels, although it looked accidental. Moments later, a Rockies rookie came in for his debut and hit another Cub. Catcher came out to smooth things over, basically telling Bryant the kid was just following orders and didn’t want any trouble. That just motivated the Cubs even more. In the next few innings, Bryant and Báez swung for the fences, and Rizzo stole bases left and right, all part of their own version of payback. Rizzo capped it with a moonshot and a long look back at the mound.
In two games, four Cubs got hit and took it quietly. One Rockie got hit and made a scene. Chicago answered with their bats, not their fists, and made it clear where they stood.