fbpx

David Peralta Accepts Blame For Failed Stolen Base Attempt In Dodgers’ Loss To Diamondbacks

Matthew Moreno
3 Min Read
Jayne Kamin-Oncea/USA TODAY Sports

The Los Angeles Dodgers had just five hits in their 2-1 loss to the Arizona Diamondbacks, but one loomed particularly large as it came immediately after David Peralta was caught stealing.

Peralta led off the second inning with a single and then tried to take advantage of what he perceived to be Merrill Kelly being slow to the plate. The veteran outfielder was initially ruled safe but the call was overturned on the Diamondbacks’ successful challenge.

Miguel Vargas followed with a double to the right-center field gap that would have easily scored Peralta had he successfully stolen second base, and potentially even if he remained on first.

That reality was not lost on Peralta as he took blame for the sequence, via Mike DiGiovanna of the L.A. Times:

“It always happens,” Peralta said of running into an out right before a big hit. “That was my fault. It pisses me off. But that’s how baseball goes.”

“I had a pretty good jump, so I just took my shot,” Peralta said. “It didn’t work out.”

Peralta has 33 stolen bases in 49 attempts during his career, but swiped just one bag last year and only four in the past four seasons. He had a career-high nine stolen bases in 2015, Peralta’s second season in the Majors.

Dave Roberts doesn’t fault David Peralta

Peralta’s attempt on Friday night was not called by Dodgers manager Dave Roberts, who nonetheless did not have issue with him taking that initiative.

“If he’s safe, then it’s a good play. If he’s out, then it’s a bad play. I don’t play that game,” Roberts said. “He felt he could steal the base and they overturned it, and he was called out.”

Prior to the game, Roberts said he would not be enticed to have his team run more simply because of the larger bases being part of new MLB changes this season. “We just don’t have the burners, prototype base stealer,” Roberts noted.

“So I’m not going to run just to run.”

Are you following Dodger Blue on Instagram? It’s the best way to see exclusive coverage from games and events, get your questions answered, and more!

Matthew Moreno is a journalist from Whittier, Calif., who is a credentialed reporter and is currently the Managing Editor of DodgerBlue.com and LakersNation.com. In addition to covering Los Angeles Dodgers and Los Angels Lakers, Matthew has a strong passion for keeping up to date with the sneakerhead culture. It began with Michael Jordan and Air Jordan shoes, and has carried over to Kobe Bryant's signature line with Nike. Matthew previously was the lead editor and digital strategist at Dodgers Nation, and the co-editor and lead writer at Reign of Troy, where he covered USC Trojans Football. Matthew graduated from California State Long Beach University with a major in journalism and minor in communications. Contact: matt@mediumlargela.com