Dodgers Dave Roberts Rebuts Padres Pitcher’s Claims Of Sign-Stealing

The Dodgers and Padres’ rivalry in Southern California is heating up a little bit. It clearly shows in the recent Dave Roberts response.

Dodgers Dave Roberts Rebuts Padres Pitcher’s Claims of Sign-Stealing

Seth Lugo, the starting pitcher for the Padres, claimed that the Dodgers stole signs during Monday’s 13-7 comeback victory for Los Angeles at Petco Park.

In 3 1/3 innings, Lugo gave up eight runs, all of which were scored in the fourth inning.

Lugo reportedly said, “Bush league,” as reported by The San Diego Union-Tribune.

Dodgers manager Dave Roberts categorically refuted Lugo’s claims on Tuesday, saying, “Sounds like an excuse,” according to The Athletic’s Fabian Ardaya.

The Dodgers attacked him for eight runs as the Padres held a 5-0 lead going into the top of the fourth inning. A grand slam by Mookie Betts gave Los Angeles the lead and forced Lugo out of the contest as eight of the first nine players in the inning reached base safely.

The results of the nine hitters that faced Lugo in that inning are as follows: Grand slam, single, out, walk, RBI double, RBI double, RBI single, and RBI single.

The final strike, a grand slam by Mookie Betts, finished the eight-run inning and put an end to Lugo’s day.

When questioned about whether the Dodgers were aware of the upcoming pitches, Lugo responded, “We know now that they did,” adding that the film had supported his claims.

Relaying signs to teammates based on field observations is permitted but technology-assisted sign-stealing is not. Roberts made careful to call that kind of strategy “gamesmanship,” even though he insisted his squad didn’t do it on Monday.

“That’s the beginning of baseball, to be able to do that. And when you have players that can relay signs, and if you’re not giving the right signs or you’re showing your grips and things like that, that’s high baseball IQ players that we have,” Roberts said. “I think that’s a compliment. But a lot of times [the allegations are] unfounded. But I think the reputation itself clearly does enough to impact the pitcher.”

“I don’t think that was the case — and if it were, that’s gamesmanship,” Roberts said, according to The Athletic. “Yeah, a couple of guys were talking about it (Tuesday).

“Given the respect I have for him from the other side, it just makes it a little surprising.”

Roberts was obviously offended by the remarks, but he seems unconcerned that his club is thought to be adept at reading pitcher cues.

The Dodgers had previously been accused of sign theft; in 2018, MLB launched an investigation into the organization but ultimately found no evidence of wrongdoing.

 

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