A stolen car can’t always be your top priority — especially when you are a major league reliever.
Cubs closer Pedro Strop had to cut short an interview with police over his stolen vehicle to prepare for a potential appearance in the Cubs game against the Dodgers on Tuesday night, ESPN.com reports.
“I was still giving them my information in the fourth inning, and I told them, ‘I have to go. I might have to pitch,'” Strop said about the car, which was involved in a chase with police after being stolen.
Strop was in fact needed after Javier Baez and Jason Heyward each hit three-run homers in the sixth inning and the Cubs were clinging to a 7-6 lead headed for the ninth inning.
“I didn’t know if I was going to get in the game,” Strop said. “But I had to be ready.”
Strop walked pinch hitter Max Muncy leading off the ninth. But he struck out Enrique Hernandez and got Justin Turner to hit into a double play for his third save in four chances.
“It was a crazy day,” Strop said. “I’m still dealing with it.”
— With AP