Contreras runs toward mound after HBP ... but not for the reason you think

BOSTON -- Willson Contreras is a historic ball magnet. His on-base percentage thanks him for that, though he may not always appreciate the method.

In early April, Contreras did not take kindly to getting plunked by Brewers right-hander Brandon Woodruff. He made his feelings on the matter more than clear in his postgame comments, noting the history with his former National League Central rival from his days with the Cubs and Cardinals.

On Friday night, Contreras had a much different reaction.

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The Red Sox first baseman wore a 95 mph sinker from Astros starter Mike Burrows in the first inning. Contreras took a few steps toward the mound -- but not to confront the right-hander. Instead, the hitter playfully jogged to retrieve the ball in front of home plate and tossed it back to Burrows in stride on his way to first base.

Contreras got hit for the seventh time this season, tied for the most in the American League and trailing only the Cardinals’ Iván Herrera (eight) across MLB. It was the 129th time Contreras has been plunked since 2018, the most for any player during that span. The 33-year-old also tied former Red Sox infielder Justin Turner for 36th on the all-time hit-by-pitch list (136).

Contreras reached base in each of his first two plate appearances Friday night, adding a third-inning single after the first-inning hit-by-pitch.