Contreras ejected as Cardinals edge Pirates in chaotic scene

A late-inning eruption at Busch Stadium overshadowed a win for the St. Louis Cardinals on Monday night as Willson Contreras was ejected after a heated confrontation with the home-plate umpire, an incident that escalated from a disputed third strike into a chaotic scene involving bat-throwing, a staffer hit by equipment, and a second ejection for manager Oliver Marmol. The Cardinals ultimately held on to defeat the Pittsburgh Pirates, capping a tense opening game of the series with a dramatic ninth-inning moment.

The trouble began in the bottom of the seventh with the Cardinals leading 6-5. Contreras, who had been struck out on a fastball for strike three with an 0-2 count, argued the call with umpire Derek Thomas as he walked toward the dugout. The exchange quickly escalated as Marmol stepped in to restrain his player. After Contreras was ejected, he turned back toward Thomas and continued to protest, leading to further confrontation as bench coach Daniel Descalso moved to shepherd him away. With his bat still in hand, Contreras then fired the bat in the direction of the action, and it struck Cardinals hitting coach Brant Brown, not the umpire as intended. The moment...