Cardinals starter suspended 5 games for intentionally hitting Cubs batter

St. Louis Cardinals pitcher Miles Mikolas sends a message to Chicago Cubs outfielder Ian Happ at the plate.

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Mikolas has been suspended five games for intentionally hitting Happ during the Cardinals' 10-3 loss to the Cubs on Thursday night in St. Louis, Michael Hill announced Friday.

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This whole incident happened at the top of the first innings.

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Happ swung a slider off Mikolas and hit Cardinals catcher Wilson Contreras in the head with his follow-through.

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Contreras was out of the game bleeding from a blow to his head and was replaced by catcher Andrew Nizner.

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On the next pitch, Mikolas threw a four-seam fastball up and inside at Happ that forced the Cubs outfielder out of the way.

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Mikolas hit Happ on his back with a 94 mph fastball.

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Happ was then given first base and Mikolas was thrown out of the game.

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Mikolas only faced three batters on the night and took the loss, after which he is appealing his suspension.

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