Los Angeles Dodgers manager Dave Roberts was ejected in the sixth inning on Wednesday night after he came onto the field to dispute a call at third base during a 9-4 loss to the Philadelphia Phillies.
With the Phillies trailing 4-3, Alec Bohm hit a double to left, and Brandon Marsh grounded into a fielder’s choice at third base.
Third baseman Kiké Hernández fielded the bunt and threw to Miguel Rojas. Bohm slid into third base and was called safe by third-base umpire Hunter Wendelstedt, who ruled that Rojas had interfered.
“He was in front of the bag without the ball and that’s the new obstruction rule,” crew chief Marvin Hudson explained to a pool reporter.
“Plus he was running in front of him to third. He was in front of third without the ball, so he obstructed the runner. The runner didn’t have a lane to get to the bag.”
Roberts disagreed after seeing the replay. “It was an egregious missed call,” the manager said. “That changed the game.”
Rojas was charged with an error and was very upset, arguing with Wendelstedt as Roberts came out of the dugout.
“He should’ve had that ball in his glove before he stepped in front of the bag,” Hudson said.
Wendelstedt signaled for Roberts to stop arguing. When Roberts continued, Wendelstedt turned his back and ejected him. This was Roberts’ 12th career ejection and his first this season.
“He went out there to argue the play,” Hudson said. “And once you go down that road to argue the play, then you’re ejected because you can’t argue that play.”
Roberts said he only went out to make sure Rojas didn’t do anything that might get him thrown out.
