Dave Roberts, Will Smith Address Blame for Blue Jays Finale Blunder
Los Angeles Dodgers manager Dave Roberts and catcher Will Smith addressed the play that cost the team a win and a sweep against the Toronto Blue Jays. Things were tied up at three apiece in the bottom of the eighth inning with a runner on first and third. Gimenez was at first base, and he tried to steal second base.
Smith threw the ball over to second to a ready Miguel Rojas, who ended up unable to field the ball. As a result, the runner at third took advantage and got home safely, giving the Blue Jays a one-run lead that they held on to at the top of the ninth for their first win of the season against the Dodgers. May 28, 2025; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; Los Angeles Dodgers catcher Will Smith (16) celebrates after scoring with manager Dave Roberts, right, during the fourth inning against the Cleveland Guardians at Progressive Field.
Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaze-Imagn Images The Dodgers were actually up 3-1 against the Blue Jays after a strong outing from Ohtani, results-wise at least. Then, reliever Jack Dreyer came into the game and allowed two runs before being saved by Blake Treinen, who cleaned up the mess to keep the game tied. However, the errant pickoff attempt by Smith and Rojas proved the difference, and after the game, manager Dave Roberts and the catcher explained what happened on the play.
View this post on Instagram A post shared by Dodgers Nation (@dodgersnation) Roberts and Smith explain what happened According to Smith, the dugout made the decision to throw on a steal attempt. He believes a good throw gets the out, but that turned out not to be the case. Roberts backed up Smith’s decision to throw to second, saying it was the right thing to do and things would have been different if Rojas smothered the ball and did not have it squirm enough to leave the runner on third an opening.
“I think it was a ball that I know Miggy would love to have back and hold onto,” Roberts said. “That’s baseball. That happens.