Prior to Tyler Anderson getting through seven innings and keeping damage at a minimum against the Chicago Cubs, he was involved in a run-in with Ian Happ that resulted in an aggressive out at home plate.
Happ was minutes removed from extending the Cubs’ lead with a two-run double when he tried to score from third base on a ball hit back to Anderson. A rundown ensued and it ended with Happ lowering his head and shoulders toward Anderson.
He absorbed some of the contact, applied the tag on Happ and shoved him to the ground.
“It seemed like he kind of thought he was out, and I don’t know if it was intentional or not, but he kind of put his head and shoulders down as I caught it,” Anderson said of the play.
“It’s not what I was expecting, but I understand it. I respect guys that play hard. He wanted to play hard and try to get a run there. I’m all for it.”
Happ appeared to turn apologize to Anderson, but the Cubs’ dugout was not pleased by the push their teammate was given. Not that it was of any concern to Anderson.
“Maybe their dugout said something, I don’t know,” he said. “But for me it was get out there, we’ve got a guy on second, so have to try to get out of the inning still.”
Anderson reached 94.9 mph on a fastball in the ensuing at-bat, which ended on a fly out to keep the Dodgers’ deficit at 3-0.
“You definitely have a little more adrenaline, but you also know we’re in this game and the guy on the other side is throwing the ball really well,” Anderson said. “You don’t want to give up any runs, so whatever you have left, don’t leave anything on the field.”
Dave Roberts echos Tyler Anderson
Dodgers manager Dave Roberts largely expressed a sentiment similar to Anderson, though he did see a line crossed.
“Obviously, I thought he was a little too aggressive where he knew he was already out, but he was focused on scoring,” Roberts said. “He plays hard, so I didn’t take any offense to it.”
“I think it might’ve fired Tyler up a little bit, but I don’t think there was any bad intent behind it. Just a super aggressive play.
Earlier this season, Anderson and Joey Votto exchanged some words after a hit by pitch, but it was largely attributed to confusion over what was being said.
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