Chicago Cubs first baseman Anthony Rizzo delivered the winning hit against the Washington Nationals in Game 3 of the NLDS on Monday.
But if it were up to Rizzo, the Nationals would have never pitched to him in the first place.
Nationals manager Dusty Baker made a controversial call to pitch to Rizzo with two outs in the bottom of the eighth and with first base open and a runner on second.
He screamed “Respect me!” after his blooper in left field drove in the winning run in the 2-1 victory.
.@ARizzo44’s got this. pic.twitter.com/aFX77LmnGb
— MLB GIFS (@MLBGIFs) October 9, 2017
Whatever works. #FlyTheW pic.twitter.com/WsUIn1wnTD
— Chicago Cubs (@Cubs) October 9, 2017
After the game, Rizzo revealed what he was thinking in the moment.
Love this response from Anthony Rizzo: “I’m thinking don’t pitch to me there, to be honest.” #Cubs pic.twitter.com/jnLTBkkXR4
— Justin Albers (@Justin_Albers) October 9, 2017
With the defeat, the Nationals are on the brink of elimination in the playoffs, down 2-1 in the best-of-five series.
Game 4 is Tuesday at 5:38 p.m.
• Matthew Paras can be reached at mparas@washingtontimes.com.
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