The Los Angeles Dodgers entered play Wednesday night playing some of their best baseball of the season and looking to sweep the Texas Rangers in the two-game Interleague series at Dodger Stadium. For as hot as the Dodgers have been, it was tempers that flared.
The Dodgers scored in each of the first two innings but were denied a run in the third. Matt Kemp reached with two outs and moved into scoring position on Jurickson Profar’s throwing error.
Kiké Hernandez shot a single to right field, which Kemp attempted to score on but was thrown out at the plate by Nomar Mazara.
Kemp did everything he could, and perhaps more when factoring in MLB’s rules for collisions at the plate, as he barreled through Rangers catcher Robinson Chirinos.
After applying the tag, Chirinos and Kemp leaned into one another, exchanged shoves, and it led to benches clearing.
Sparks fly in LA after this play at the plate.#TexasRangers pic.twitter.com/BFxjYYy2WV
— FOX Sports Southwest (@FOXSportsSW) June 14, 2018
Kemp and Chirinos were quickly separated but both were ejected. Joc Pederson took over for Kemp in left field, while Carlos Perez assumed catching duties for the Rangers.
The sequence may have provided an emotional spark for the Rangers as they scored two runs off Kenta Maeda the following inning to tie the game.
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