Happ hits Contreras in head with backswing, then gets drilled by pitch

ST. LOUIS -- Chicago Cubs outfielder Ian Happ hit St. Louiscatcher Willson Contreras in the head with a long follow-through on a swing, then was soon hit himself by a pitch from Cardinals starter Miles Mikolas.

Mikolas and Cardinals manager Oliver Marmol were ejected in the first-inning dustup between the longtime rivals.

Contreras was cut badly and tumbled down. After a trainer applied a towel to his head and he received a hug from former Chicago teammate Happ, Contreras left because of the cut on the scalp and is day to day to return to the lineup.

"We've been friends for a long time," Happ said. "It just sucks. It's horrible, really. He comes up bloody. "

A former catcher, Chicago manager David Ross said he could relate.

"That backswing is just scary. It happens," Ross said. "I sent him a text. I hope he's all right."

Contreras said he was fine. Glue, not stitches, was used to close the wound.

"I had a little headache after I got it," Contreras said. "I feel good and I want to make sure I'm ready to go tomorrow. I wanted to stay in. It was bleeding really bad. It was bad for me because I wanted to stay in there."

Andrew Knizner took over behind the plate, and Mikolas brushed back Happ to run the count to 3-1. With the next pitch, Mikolas hit Happ in the rear, with Mikolas (6-6) and Marmol being ejected.

"I just went to first base," Happ said. "You wear it. It kind of felt like he was coming in there."

Mikolas acted stunned by the umpires' decision. He stopped while walking off and appeared to gesture and call over to the Cubs dugout, apparently signaling them to come out on the field.

"I was a little surprised," Mikolas said. "They [umpires] had a meeting and decided to toss me. The umpires can believe what they want to believe. That was their choice. They believed there was intent there and that's all umpires need."

Dakota Hudson came in to pitch for St. Louis. He gave up a single, walked two and was touched for a ground-rule double. The Cubs led 3-0 on their way to a 10-3 win.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.