WATCH: Contreras talks about his epic performance |
CHICAGO — Chicago Cubs catcher Willson Contreras was honored with a bobblehead of his likeness that was distributed to fans in attendance at Friday's Crosstown Classic between the Cubs and the Chicago White Sox.
Perhaps, Contreras was subconsciously inspired to live up the billing on a day in which he was honored because he had arguably the best game of his career as part of the Cubs' 11-2 thrashing of the White Sox. Going 4-5 with two doubles and two home runs, Contreras totaled seven RBI on an opening-inning grand slam, a sixth-inning solo blast and a seventh-inning two-run double. The seven RBI established a new career high for Contreras, who improved his 2018 home-run mark from one to three and his 2018 RBI mark from nine to 16 in just one game. Contreras, who has not exactly performed well at the plate to start the season, spoke with NBC Sports Chicago reporter Kelly Crull after the game and addressed the significance of his epic outing. On the Diamond: @Kelly_Crull talks with Willson Contreras after the #Cubs dominate the White Sox in the #Crosstown opener, presented by@JandSJewelers pic.twitter.com/lB3S4bxLf3
Saying that his mentality as of late has been to "keep battling through the tough moments," Contreras credited his seven-RBI performance to his ability to "work counts and hit fastballs thrown over the middle." Contreras hit seven extra-base hits in the Cubs' past two games, making him the first Cub since 1913 to accomplish that feat in a two-game span. Friday's performance also made Contreras just the fourth catcher in the live-ball era to accrue at least four extra-base hits and seven RBI in a single contest.
