Dave Roberts: Joe Simpson’s Criticism Of Dodgers ‘Water Under The Bridge’
Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports

The Los Angeles Dodgers struggled to get their bats going against the Atlanta Braves on Sunday, nearly getting no-hit by Sean Newcomb before Chris Taylor recorded the club’s first base knock with two outs in the ninth inning.

The Dodgers wound up dropping the finale, 4-1, but still came away with a series victory by defeating the Braves in the first three games of the matchup at SunTrust Park.

During the third game of the series, the Dodgers were subject to harsh criticism from Braves commentators Chip Caray and Joe Simpson due to their batting practice attire on Saturday.

The club wore t-shirts rather than jerseys with their name on the back, which prompted Simpson to shame Chase Utley in particular, who wore the Dodgers’ version of the Strike Out Cancer shirt.

Simpson later apologized to Utley following the Dodgers’ 5-1 win over the Braves, but didn’t get a chance to personally speak with Dodgers manager Dave Roberts, who was initially livid in the immediate wake of his comments.

After learning that Simpson reconciled with Utley, Roberts is moving past the incident, per Ken Gurnick of MLB.com:

“It’s past,” said Roberts. “For us, it’s water under the bridge. If he talked to Chase and Chase is good with it, it’s fine by me.”

Simpson’s comments were especially surprising at first, considering most Major League Baseball teams don’t wear jerseys with names on the back during batting practice.

That Simpson singled out Utley of all players was also shocking, given he is one of the most respected players in all of baseball.

Nevertheless, the Dodgers have turned the page on the matter and now return to Dodger Stadium for the first time in two weeks to begin a four-game series with the Milwaukee Brewers.

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