The Dodgers, led by Roberts, lost a home game against the Philadelphia Phillies 4-9 at Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles, California on the 8th (Korean time). It was a 4-1 lead until the fourth inning, but it lost by giving up two points in the fifth inning and five points in the sixth inning. The three consecutive Philadelphia games ended with a two-game losing series after one win.
It was regrettable that the Dodgers made a judgment by a referee. With runners on second and no outs in the top of the sixth inning with the Dodgers leading 4-3, Philadelphia Phillies’ Brandon Marsh hit a push bunt toward the third base. Dodgers’ third baseman Kieke Hernandez rushed forward to grab the ball and threw it to shortstop Miguel Rojas who came in to the third base cover.
Rojas’ glove tagged second baseman Alec Bohm’s left leg first. It appeared to be an out, but third base umpire Hunter Wendelstedt declared safe. It was determined that Rojas blocked second base runner Bohm’s main line before receiving the ball as he entered the base cover. Rojas’ error was recorded due to obstruction of base running.
However, if you look at the replay, Rojas didn’t block the base until he received the ball. After receiving the ball, Rojas’ left foot and Bom’s left foot collided with each other with a natural motion. It was hard to see it as a deliberate interference with the base running.
Roberts rushed out of the dugout and protested. Rojas jumped up and down, but the original trial was not reversed. As Roberts objected to the decision and continued to protest, referee Wendelstedt, who was cautioning, ordered him to leave. It was Roberts’ 12th career exit and the first of this season.
Marvin Hudson, who was in charge of the second base trial after the game, said, “Rohas was in front of the base without the ball. He blocked the runner. According to the new rules of interference, it is right to interfere with base running because he was not in front of the base with the ball.”
Since then, the game has turned to Philadelphia. When things changed to first and third base with no outs, the Dodgers replaced the pitcher with Joe Kelly from Alex Vesia, but the Dodgers failed. J.T. Realmuto’s ground ball to the third base caused the third baseman to home run to tie the game 4-4, shaking Kelly’s control. With the bases loaded with two outs and a wild pitch, he gave up the winning run before collapsing after Kyle Schwarber hit a three-run home run.
For the Dodgers, the decision could not help but feel like a loss due to a misjudgment. The Dodgers still failed to accept the decision even after the game. According to local media including the LA Times, Roberts said, “Referee Wendellstedt missed the call. It was a terrible decision. This may be the first time I have said this. The decision changed the game. Wendellstedt is a great referee, but he made a mistake this time. That is the fact.”
Roberts added, “Rohas played defense from a distance of about 2 feet in front of the base and attempted to tag with his legs spread wide. He opened up the opponent’s base. The purpose of this rule is not to let the infielder block the base and injure the runner,” stressing that Rojas’ movements were not intentional.토토사이트 추천
Rojas was also frustrated. “I know the rules. I didn’t try to block the bases, I didn’t try to hurt anyone. I didn’t mean to disturb the opponent, I just wanted to tag him,” Rojas said. “I think the referee made the decision beforehand and did it to draw attention. The referee is trying to be a hero. It’s a pity that one referee changed the game and the series.”
Rojas said, “If it weren’t for the decision, the flow would have crossed our path and the inning could have ended. It was a good chance to win,” pointing out that the decision was directly linked to the loss. Roberts said, “We lost to a good team, but we are really disappointed. We need to let the best players in the world play.”
There are times when there are bad calls during the season, but the Dodgers’ fierce response cannot be seen apart from the recent team situation. While slowing down to four wins and six losses in the last 10 games, the San Diego Padres and Arizona Diamondbacks, who are second to third in the National League West, are on the rise with eight wins and two losses, pressing the No. 1 Dodgers to three games apart. The Dodgers were also on alert as the gap narrowed to second place by the smallest margin since April 27. It was difficult to calm down the anger because they gave up the game due to unfair judgment at a time when one win was important.