In Don Mattingly’s return to Dodger Stadium last season his Miami Marlins swept the Los Angeles Dodgers in a four-game set. Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said Thursday that series left a “sour taste” in his mouth.
This season’s four-game series marked A.J. Ellis’ first time back at Chavez Ravine since he was traded last August. The Dodgers played a tribute video for their former catcher, then proceeded to thump the Marlins, 7-2.
While the story for much of Friday night was Alex Wood’s dominance, the contest quickly turned heated. A.J. Ramos hit Brett Eibner with a pitch after allowing a home run to Cody Bellinger.
Ross Stripling’s first pitch in the ninth inning went behind Giancarlo Stanton, and both benches immediately spilled onto the field.
Mattingly and Dodgers bench coach Bob Geren were perhaps the most heated, getting face to face during the scrum. “They were exchanging pleasantries,” Roberts quipped after the game.
He added pitches from Ramos and Stripling simply got away on the arm side. Stripling expressed the same sentiment in regards to his pitch.
Roberts expressed some frustration over Stripling’s ejection since a warning was not issued after Ramos plunked Eibner. In addition to Stripling, Geren and Mattingly were ejected.
The Dodgers and Marlins have two games remaining in their series at Dodger Stadium, and won’t meet again until July 14 for the start of a three-game set at Marlins Park.
