Dodgers rip umpire over Miguel Rojas obstruction call in loss to Phillies: 'Looking to be the hero'

Manager Dave Roberts was ejected arguing the call from umpire Hunter Wendelstedt

By R.J. Anderson Aug 8, 2024 at 10:31 am ET• 3 min read

The Los Angeles Dodgers lost to the Philadelphia Phillies on Wednesday night, dropping the rubber match between the National League's two best teams by a 9-4 final (box score). The game got away from the Dodgers during the top of the sixth inning, when they allowed five runs that turned a 4-3 advantage into an 8-4 deficit. As the headline above suggests, there was a healthy heaping of controversy involved, too, resulting in Dodgers manager Dave Roberts' first ejection of the season.

The drama began when Phillies outfielder Brandon Marsh pushed a bunt to the left side of the infield. Marsh intended to give himself up to advance Alec Bohm, who was stationed at second base and represented the tying run. Things got tricky when Dodgers third baseman Enrique Hernandez retrieved the ball and decided to throw to third base, and to charging shortstop Miguel Rojas. Rojas was able to beat Marsh to the bag with enough time to catch the throw and apply the tag. 

There was just one problem: third-base umpire Hunter Wendelstedt ruled Bohm safe because of obstruction. 

Here's the play in its entirety:

Had the Dodgers been awarded the out, they would've had the ability to end the inning with a double-play ball. Instead, J.T. Realmuto plated the tying run on a ground out to third base, and reliever Joe Kelly struggled with his command, walking two batters and unloading a wild pitch before surrendering a three-run home run to Kyle Schwarber.