Dodgers News: Dave Roberts Reacts to Padres RHP Seth Lugo’s Comments Calling Out LA
While addressing the media before Tuesday’s game against the Arizona Diamondbacks, Dave Roberts commented on Padres’ starter Seth Lugo saying the Dodgers knew what pitches were coming during Monday’s game and calling them "bush league."
"It’s surprising coming from him. Sounds like an excuse. I don’t think that was the case, and if it were, that’s gamesmanship," Roberts said. "Given the respect I have from him from the other side, excuse making a little surprising."
Lugo’s comments showed frustration and unprofessionalism. At no time during this season have the Padres conducted professionally, and thus, they are out of the National League Western Division and fighting a losing battle to earn a Wild Card spot.
Lugo didn’t have good command during the 8-run fourth after breezing through the first three innings of the game.
During the 4-game series against the Padres, the Dodgers proved they are a much superior team. They wouldn’t have called the Padres “bush league” if the Dodgers lost 3 out of 4 games.
This isn't the first time the Dodgers have been called out for something like this, and Roberts takes it as a compliment.
"I think that’s a sign of smart players. That’s the beginning of baseball, to be able to do that. And when you have players that can relay signs and if you don’t give the right signs or you’re showing your grips and things like that, that’s high baseball IQ players that we have. And I think that’s the biggest compliment. We get that quite a lot of times, it’s unfounded, but I think that the reputation itself, I guess clearly does enough to impact the pitcher."
