The Los Angeles Dodgers dropped three of four games to the San Diego Padres over the weekend, resulting in their first series loss of the season. The club’s lone victory came in the third matchup — a contest that featured a rematch between Trevor Bauer and Blake Snell.
While Snell pitched well enough to earn a win, it was Bauer who improved to a perfect 3-0 on the season. He allowed three runs (two earned) on five hits with nine strikeouts in six innings of work — his only blemishes on the night being a pair of solo home runs by Fernando Tatis Jr.
After opening the game with a homer, Tatis turned to the Padres dugout while rounding first base and covered one of his eyes. He was trolling Bauer, who on occasion has pitched with one eye closed.
Then after hitting his second home run of the game, Tatis further mocked Bauer by imitating the Conor McGregor strut, which the right-hander regularly does as well.
Bauer revealed after the game that he was not offended by the celebrations. However, Bauer later noted in a vlog that he was more unhappy by Tatis purportedly peeking at the Dodgers’ signs before hitting the second homer:
“If you’re going to do that and celebrate it (the home run), that’s tough. That’s tough. Either be good enough to not have to look at the signs, and then you can celebrate. Or, if you do have to look at the signs, I don’t know about the celebration, man. It’s a tough one. That brings up the question of unwritten rules. Am I mad about the celebrations, bat flips and all that stuff? No. However, if you start looking at signs, pulling this bush league stuff, that’s when people get pissed off. I mean, a lot of people get pissed off about the celebrations and whatever, but they’re just soft.
“That’s (peeking at signs) is the type of stuff that would get you hit in other games. I’m mild-mannered about it and I’m going to send a message more this way and say, ‘Hey, that’s not OK. Keep doing this and something will have to happen.’ Baseball policing itself, this is where it would happen.”
While Bauer clearly took exception to Tatis’ actions, Dodgers manager Dave Roberts was yet not aware of the potential act. “I didn’t see that. I will look into that. I would like to think that Trevor commented on something that he saw,” Roberts said.
“I’ve got to look at it. I don’t like to speak without knowing, but when you talk about peeking, that’s just not the way to play baseball. I don’t know. I haven’t vetted it or seen it.
“I have a tremendous amount of respect for Fernando as a ballplayer, the way he plays the game, but if that is the case — which I don’t know — that will be noted.”
Roberts hints at potential repercussions for Tatis if proven to have stolen signs
When asked to clarify if the Dodgers would change how the catcher gives signs to prevent Tatis from potentially looking in again, Roberts hinted the club may go another route. “No, that’s not what I’m talking about,” he said, implying there could be retaliation.
Have you subscribed to the Dodger Blue YouTube channel? It’s the best way to watch player interviews, participate in our shows and giveaways, and more!
