Chicago Cubs catcher Wilson Contreras has been a bundle of joy during the month of July. Contreras has been on a roll by hitting .347 with seven home runs and 18 runs batted in. He has managed to be a leader, defensive stopper, and an emotional highlight for the Cubs since the All Star break.
You can add one more item to his outstanding July resume as Contreras surprised a 10-year-old fan with Down Syndrome on his birthday before the Cubs beat the Chicago White Sox 7-2 at Wrigley Field. Daniel Rodriguez from Advocate Children's Hospital came to Wrigley where he was surprised by his favorite player.
After that moment, Contreras might have just added a few more people who like him.
The two met when Rodriguez was at the hospital last year, and they quickly became friends. One of the ten-year-old's wishes was to see the Cubs catcher on his birthday. On a stunning Tuesday, he was able to experience that dream come true.
Pre-game moment
The boy and his family cut some cake before the game began, but the real surprise came when Contreras came out of the tunnel to greet Rodriguez and his family. After meeting the family, Contreras gave Rodriguez a pair of batting gloves. Then, he gave Rodriguez a jersey with the catcher's last name on the back, which he signed. Of course, the best part of the visit was a hug that Contreras gave to Rodriguez.
They even got to sit in the dugout together and hang out before the game started.
In game moment
Sports Illustrated reported that later on Contreras gave Rodriguez something even better. In the first inning with two runners on, Contreras hit a three run home run to give the Cubs a 3-0 lead. The Cubs eventually split the home series with the White Sox by tacking on four more runs.
Perfect Tuesday
John Lackey pitched five innings of two run ball. The Cubs bullpen gave up no runs in four innings to pace the Cubs with the Brewers in the National League Central. Even though Carlos Rodon struck out 11 Cubs batters, and Javy Baez struck out five times, the rest of the Cubs brass picked up the slack. Contreras ended up the day with four runs batted in.
Ben Zobrist reached base three times in the leadoff position and drove in a run. Albert Almora Jr. scored two runs with a RBI double and a sacrifice fly. Pedro Strop, Hector Rondon, and Brian Duensing each threw an inning of scoreless relief after Edwards' heroics. In the fifth inning, after two runners reached base with no outs, Edwards recorded two strikeouts and a groundout to escape the inning.
