Watch: Shohei Ohtani gets frustrated in the dugout after third base umpire gets in the way, preventing a possible run
Shohei Ohtani wasn't happy after watching the replay where a Teoscar Hernandez hit was blocked by the third base umpire, resulting in him getting tagged at home plate.
In what looked like an easy run for the Los Angeles Dodgers to increase their 5-0 lead in the fourth inning on Wednesday, third base umpire Mark Ripperger blocked a hit, which allowed Manny Machado to make the throw to home plate. Ohtani is known for his calm and respectful demeanor during games, but on watching the replay, he was visibly furious with Ripperger for his role in the play.
Here's the video:
Coming into Game 4 of the NLDS trailing 2-1 against the San Diego Padres, the pressure is on for Shohei Ohtani and the Los Angeles Dodgers to deliver a big performance. A loss at Petco Park will end their postseason run and World Series dreams. Hence, the determination and drive among the LA playuers was clear to see.
Mookie Betts got the Dodgers on the board with a solo homer in the first inning, while Ohtani hit a RBI single in the second to double their lead. Betts then added another run with a RBI single of his own before Will Smith blasted a two-run homer to give the Dodgers a 5-0 lead in the third.
In the fourth inning, Ohtani found himself in third base when Teoscar Hernandez hit a gound ball, which was inadvertently blocked by third base umpire Mark Ripperger.
While Ohtani had immediately started running towards home plate in what should have been an easy run, the umpire's block allowed Manny Machado to make the throw to catcher Kyle Higashoika to make the tag.
Despite Shohei Ohtani's frustration, Gaving Lux homers in the seventh to give the Dodgers an 8-0 lead
Over the course of the NLDS, Shohei Ohtani has been largely contained by the San Diego Padres and hasn't had much luck on his side.
His frustration came to a boiling point after the third base umpire's block cost him a run in the fourth inning. Nonetheless, the Los Angeles Dodgers lineup has stepped up in Game 4 and delivered.
Will Smith blasted a two-run home run in the third to extend their lead to 5-0 and make history by posting the most postseason homers from a Dodgers catcher. That was followed by a Gavin Lux two-run blast in the seventh, giving them a 8-0 lead on the night and likely setting up a series finale on Friday.