Dodgers: Dave Roberts Catches SF Giants 1st Base Coach Sneaky Tactics

Undoubtedly, the Dodgers and Giants have one of the deepest and most intense rivalries in the world of professional sports. A century of facing one another from New York to California will do that for you.

After Mookie Betts’ game clinching homer on Thursday, the Giants were understandably upset after nearly completing an improbable comeback from down 5-0 only to lose 9-6. On Friday night, they may have been looking for any advantage to get out on top early.

In the first inning, after only four pitches, Dodgers manager Dave Roberts sent pitching coach Mark Prior to the mound after noticing something happening between the batter and first base coach while starting pitcher Tyler Anderson was working on signs with Will Smith.

The stoppage and umpire huddle was a result of Roberts’ accusation that the Giants’ first base coach was out of his coaching box trying to steal signs and relay the pitches to his own team. Antoan Richardson was sent back to his box with watchful eyes and the game continued after Prior told Anderson to clean up his glove and be more careful. 

The odd moment wasn’t really explained until after the game when Doc shared with media what was going on.

Dave Roberts said the delay in the first inning was because the Dodgers dugout thought that Giants first-base coach Antoan Richardson was relaying signs to Austin Slater at home plate. They informed the umpires, who told Richardson to back up into the coaches’ box.

— Fabian Ardaya (@FabianArdaya) July 23, 2022

“Just a little gamesmanship, Roberts added. “They were doing some relaying of the signs by the first base coach, so wanted to kind of nip that, get the coach in the box, and let Tyler do his thing.”

Tyler Anderson said Mark Prior told him they thought Antoan Richardson was trying to get a view of his glove from the 1B coaches box. So Prior told Anderson to clean that part up.

“If you expose yourself, that happens, and I think that's part of the game,” Anderson said.

— Fabian Ardaya (@FabianArdaya) July 23, 2022

Despite the early interruption, the All-Star pitcher came out on top at the end with LA upending the Giants by a final of 5-1. The left-hander recorded six strikeouts and allowed only one run on four hits through the six innings, lowering his season ERA down to 2.79 over 18 games (16 starts). The Dodgers and Giants continue the four game series tonight with former Dodger Alex Wood facing off against Julio Urias.

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