While the heated dugout exchange between Yasmani Grandal and Justin Turner during the series opener with the Milwaukee Brewers remained a talking point the next day, the parties involved immediately insisted the matter was over with moments after it began.
Dodgers manager Dave Roberts didn’t take issue with Turner’s actions, explaining he believes confrontation, when driven by the goal of improving, is acceptable. However, Roberts did not completely agree with Grandal’s claim of the Dodgers’ tendency thus far to rely on talent, not effort.
“There are many games where we’re the better team,” Roberts said. “The reason we play is to see who was better that day. I know that as a manager, and I can speak to the coaches, I know a lot of the players aren’t relaxed and content going into a game.”
Roberts continued: “I’d love to know which players he feels are content and don’t want to fight. They won’t play that night.”
Los Angeles is on a four-game winning streak since Roberts’ response to Grandal’s comments. What’s more, they fought back from deficit in three of the victories. Whether or not the two are related can be debated.
The more logical explanation is Turner’s sustained hot streak at the plate, and other bats coming to life. Although Turner went 1-for-4 with a single on Sunday, he entered the day 6-for-10 in the series, with three home runs and seven RBIs.
Turner hit two home runs and the walk-off single in the Dodgers’ extra-innings victory on Friday night. Meanwhile, Grandal pinch-hit for A.J. Ellis in the bottom of the ninth inning on Sunday with the bases loaded and drew a walk-off walk.
Turner added another home run in Monday’s series opener against the Washington Nationals. The Dodgers’ modest winning streak has helped them keep pace with the San Francisco Giants, who hold a six-game lead for first place in the National League West.
