Home United States USA — Criminal Cubs' Anthony Rizzo admonishes Miguel Montero for Jake Arrieta comments

Cubs' Anthony Rizzo admonishes Miguel Montero for Jake Arrieta comments

285
0
SHARE

Chicago Cubs first baseman Anthony Rizzo called teammate Miguel Montero “selfish” after he blamed pitcher Jake Arrieta for allowing the Nationals to steal seven bases on Tuesday night.
WASHINGTON — One day after Chicago Cubs catcher Miguel Montero blamed starting pitcher Jake Arrieta for a huge night on the base paths for the Washington Nationals, teammate Anthony Rizzo shot back at Montero saying it was a ‘selfish’ move.
“We win as a team, we lose as a team, ” Rizzo said during his weekly appearance on ESPN 1000. “If you start pointing fingers that just labels you as a selfish player. I disagree. We have another catcher (Willson Contreras) who throws out everyone who steals and he (catches) Jon Lester who doesn’t pick over. It’s no secret. Going to the media with things like that, I don’t think it’s very professional.”
The Nationals stole seven bases on Montero and Arrieta in their 6-1 win over the Cubs on Tuesday. After the game, Montero took out his frustrations on his pitcher.
“That’s the reason they were running left and right today because they (Arrieta) were slow to the plate, ” Montero said. “Simple as that. It’s a shame it’s my fault because I didn’t throw anyone out… It really sucked because the stolen bases go on me, but when you really look at it the pitcher doesn’t give me any time, so it’s just like yeah okay, ‘Miggy can’t throw anyone out’ but my pitchers don’t hold anyone on.”
Editor’s Picks ESPN 1000 AUDIO: Rizzo expects Montero to make smarter decisions
Chicago Cubs 1B Anthony Rizzo reacts to catcher Miguel Montero’s locker-room rant, during which he blamed Jake Arrieta’s slow delivery for the Nationals’ seven stolen bases.
Montero is 0 for 31 throwing out would be base stealers this season, though he’s always been known as a great pitch framer. That wasn’t the case on Tuesday. According to ESPN Stats and Information, there were six pitches called balls on Arrieta which had a better than 75 percent strike probability. Last season he ranked third in getting extra strikes for his pitchers. This year he’s 44th out of 66.
“He’s frustrated, ” Rizzo said. “Obviously he’s frustrated… It’s the second time barking in the media and not just going to his teammates.”
Montero sounded off last November about lack of playing time and communication with manager Joe Maddon. The two had dinner in spring training to straighten matters out and since then Montero has been a good teammate. That changed on Tuesday.
“You would think as a veteran, like he is, he would make smart decisions about it., ” added Rizzo. “We win as 25 we lose as 25 and to call your teammates out via the press, what’s the point?”

Continue reading...