"I just wanted to clarify" - Dave Roberts explains bizarre incident that led to LA Dodgers' embarrassing loss against rival Padres
Many things went against the LA Dodgers in their 6-5 extra-inning loss against the San Diego Padres on Tuesday night at Petco Park. Among those things was manager Dave Roberts' unawareness regarding a rule, which led to a pitch clock violation during a crucial juncture of the contest.
In the 10th inning of the game, with bases loaded and one out, the Padres decided to send in Donovan Solano as a pinch hitter to face Alex Vesia. This led Dodgers pitching coach Mark Prior to make a mound visit and talk to Vesia.
Roberts wasn't convinced that Vesia was facing an unfavorable matchup in Solano. He rushed to the field to ask if he could make a pitching change since he didn't know if the intentional walk to Jurickson Profar counted as facing a hitter. The officials let him know that it does count, but now, after one visit, the pitcher has to face a hitter.
Also, since the pitch timer was on, it led to a pitch clock violation, giving Solano an automatic ball to start at bat. This was followed by Solano hitting a line drive to the left field for a 6-5 walk-off victory.
Roberts acknowledged his unawareness about the rule in a postgame press conference.
"I just wanted to clarify that Mark went out there to talk to Alex after they pinch hit Solano and I was asking if I could bring in Evan at that moment and then once he's already visited, he's got to face a hitter. So yeah, an intentional walk counts as facing a hitter," Roberts said.
Dodgers lose an early 5-0 lead to let Padres haunt them with 6-5 walk-off victory
The Dodgers were off to a great start, scoring five runs off Matt Waldron in the first inning. Tyler Glasnow, on the other end, did give up three runs by the third inning but held his fort till the seventh, sustaining the 5-3 lead while striking out eight hitters.
LA was three outs away from victory, with Blake Treinen on the mound. However, Manny Machado started the inning with a solo shot to bring the game a run closer. This was followed by another homer from Jackson Merrill to send the matchup into extras, where Donovan Solano's walk-off hit gave the Padres their 58th victory of the season.
The Dodgers will face the Padres again on Wednesday. A drawer matchup in Clayton Kershaw vs. Dylan Cease awaits.