Rays left-hander Rich Hill, who pitched for the Cubs from 2005-08, was frustrated after giving up three early-inning home runs. (Credit: Brad Mills-USA TODAY Sports)
Rays left-hander Rich Hill, who pitched for the Cubs from 2005-08, was frustrated after giving up three early-inning home runs. (Credit: Brad Mills-USA TODAY Sports)

WATCH: Rich Hill throws tantrum in dugout, repeatedly swings bat at bench


by - Senior Writer -

WASHINGTON — In a matchup of former Chicago Cubs, Washington Nationals left fielder Kyle Schwarber won the battle against Tampa Bay Rays starter Rich Hill on Tuesday. Schwarber continued his homer-hitting tear by going yard out of the leadoff spot, smacking a 434-foot dinger to right on the very first pitch of the bottom of the first.

Right fielder Juan Soto also took Hill deep in the first frame, hitting a two-run blast to put the Nats up 3-0 at Nationals Park. Center fielder Victor Robles became the third Nationals outfielder to homer on the evening when he led off the bottom of the second with a round-tripper.

Although he forced Schwarber to ground into a double play in the second frame, Hill was not pleased after giving up three dingers in just two innings, so he took his frustrations out on the dugout bench following the second inning. The 41-year-old furiously hacked away at the bench, furiously swinging the bat until he blew off enough steam.

Hill retook the mound in the bottom of the third and pitched a scoreless inning. As for Schwarber, he has powered out 16 home runs in his last 18 games and has thrived out of the leadoff spot, with seven of the 16 long balls coming in first-inning leadoff at-bats. He has 25 "Schwarbombs" and 53 RBIs on the season.

Comment on this story
Print   
Send Feedback to Cole Little: Email | Comment
Post your comments!