Aroldis Chapman, the Cincinatti Reds' marquee relief pitcher, had an uncharacteristically bad night on Sunday, walking the first batter he faced on four straight pitches and giving up back-to-back home runs for the first time in his career. Entering the game, Chapman had only allowed seven homers in his 157 career appearances, with only one blown save this season.
The reason for his sluggish performance will shock, appall, and make you hungry.
According to Phillies Spanish-language broadcaster Rickie Ricardo, Chapman devoured 18 cream cheese and guava pastries before the game, and looked like "he couldn't breathe."
Ricardo is Cuban-American and has made a tradition out of bringing the traditional Cuban desserts to visiting players, like Chapman, who hail from the island. He describes them as "flaky-crust pastry with cream cheese and guava...if you eat more than two of these you're clogging up your arteries." He went on to compare the pastries to "Krispy Kreme donuts when they come right out of the oven."
