The level of chatter began to intensify a few pitches earlier, when a 2-1 pitch from Cardinals reliever Rob Kamisky to Brewers veteran Ryan Braun was called a strike by home-plate umpire John Bacon.

“No, no, no, no. That is not a strike, man,” Braun is heard telling Bacon on the Brewers’ television broadcast.

He motioned toward Molina and said to Bacon, “Just because he gets mad at you, you can’t call that a strike, man.”

Molina and Braun exchanged some more words before the at-bat continued. Two pitches later, Braun swung at a pitch and hit Molina’s left forearm as the catcher reached for the baseball. Catcher’s interference was called, and Braun headed to first base while Shildt came out to check on Molina.