Cubs catcher Miguel Montero blamed pitcher Jake Arrieta for allowing seven stolen bases.
WASHINGTON (AP) — Chicago Cubs catcher Miguel Montero blamed pitcher Jake Arrieta for allowing seven stolen bases in a 6-1 loss to the Washington Nationals on Tuesday night.
Montero unloaded on Arrieta for his slow delivery not giving him a chance to throw out baserunners.
« It really sucked because the stolen bases go to me, and when you really look at it, the pitcher doesn’t give me any time, » Montero said. « So it’s just like, ‘Yeah ok Miggy can’t throw nobody out, ‘ but my pitcher doesn’t hold anybody on. …
« That’s the reason why they were running left and right today because they know he was slow to the plate. Simple as that. It’s a shame that it’s my fault because I didn’t throw anybody out. »
The seven stolen bases — four by Trea Turner, two by Michael Taylor and one by Anthony Rendon — tied a Montreal Expos/Nationals franchise record. Washington manager Dusty Baker called Arrieta « a guy you can run on » and said Montero « isn’t throwing like he was before, » and Turner noted Arrieta’s reputation for being « slower to the plate. »
Montero, who had an error on a throw to third, said it’s frustrating for a catcher to get the ball and see a runner almost to the base.
« It was a couple times I didn’t even try to throw because it was no time, it was no chance to throw nobody (out) there, so why am I even going to make a throw? » Montero said. « It really hurt me. He hurt me. I feel like I can still throw, like I got a good arm, my arm feel great. I just try to be quicker, I try to be perfect and to make those two together, it’s hard to do. »
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Arrieta, who issued a season-high six walks and allowed six hits in four-plus innings, said he doesn’t care who’s behind the plate because Turner’s a threat any time he gets on. Manager Joe Maddon said the Cubs « let the wrong guys on base, » but his battery Tuesday night didn’t help.
« It’s an imperfect situation, » Maddon said. « It’s not about the move to first. It’s about time to the plate more than anything. He’s a little bit slow. … It’s something that he works on. »
Montero said he and Arrieta talked about it at spring training and nothing changes.
« It’s frustrating because it seems like nobody really care about it, » Montero said.
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