The Los Angeles Dodgers fell into another early deficit but couldn’t muster a comeback as they were defeated by the San Diego Padres, 10-2, in Game 2 of the National League Division Series.
Fernando Tatis Jr. got the scoring started with a solo home run off Jack Flaherty in the top of the first. The 25-year-old finished 3-for-4 with three RBI in what was another big performance at Dodger Stadium.
Tatis was involved in several controversies during the game, including when Flaherty hit him with a pitch to begin the sixth inning. Manny Machado felt the hit by pitch was intentional and exchanged words with the right-hander.
Tatis later had beer cans thrown in his direction by Dodgers fans in the right field pavilion.
“Wild,” answered Tatis when asked to describe his relationship with fans at Dodger Stadium.
“Oh, man, it’s definitely wild out here. But at the same time it’s a good environment for baseball. Although people get carried away a little bit with their emotions, but it’s a good back and forth. At the end of the day, it’s a show, and we should enjoy every moment.”
Fans also threw baseballs in the direction of Jurickson Profar during the seventh inning, which caused a nine-minute delay.
“For me, I feel like when it went over the line when they started throwing stuff onto the field. I felt like that should not be happening in a big league game,” Tatis said.
“Then the words, fans are coming over here to a baseball park to enjoy themselves. They can say whatever they want. I don’t really mind. I started chirping back. I’ll give you a moment of where you can enjoy yourself, just me talking to you as a fan. I just see it that way, and I embrace it that way.”
Tatis trolled Dodgers fans throughout the night as he was seen sticking his tongue out at them from the dugout and mocked others with fake tears while playing right field.
Machado took exception to the Dodgers fans who threw objects onto the field at Profar and Tatis. “It’s not ideal. Balls thrown, beer, that’s not called for. It’s a big league game where we’re trying to compete,” Machado said.
“You could hurt someone with a ball. I just don’t think that’s right. Obviously, you’re in a tough environment. You’re the road team so you’re going to get some things said to you. But once you start throwing things onto the field, that’s just uncalled for.”
Fernando Tatis Jr. stats at Dodger Stadium
Over 34 career games (33 starts) at Dodger Stadium during the regular season, Tatis has hit .313/.366/.626 with five doubles, 12 home runs and 23 RBI.
He did not play during the 2022 NLDS because of an injury that year and PED suspension, but in two playoff games at Dodger Stadium so far this year, Tatis is 5-for-10 with two doubles, two home runs and three RBI.
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