San Diego Padres management is asking fans to demonstrate good behavior as the contentious National League Division Series shifts from Dodger Stadium to Petco Park on Tuesday, tied at one game apiece.
“We’re back in San Diego with a very, very loud, raucous, aggressive, hungry crowd that’s going to be super excited and going to be getting after it,” Padres’ manager Mike Schildt posted on social media.
“But I know also that we’ll stay classy, San Diego,” Schildt wrote, referencing Ron Burgundy’s famous line in 2004’s “Anchorman.”
Emotions boiled over on the field and in the stands during Sunday night’s Game 2 of the best-of-five series between the NL West rivals.
The game was delayed for 12 minutes when unruly fans tossed baseballs and trash in the direction of Padres left fielder Jurickson Profar, who earlier robbed the Dodgers’ Mookie Betts of a game-tying home run.
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LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA – OCTOBER 06: Jurickson Profar #10 of the San Diego Padres talks with the umpires after Los Angeles Dodgers fans threw objects toward him during the seventh inning in game two of the National League Division Series at Dodger Stadium on Sunday, Oct. 6, 2024 in Los Angeles. (Gina Ferazzi / Los Angeles Times via Getty Images) -
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA – OCTOBER 6: Jurickson Profar #10 of the San Diego Padres makes a jumping catch into the crowd to rob a home run during game two of the National League Divisional Series against the Los Angeles Dodgers at Dodger Stadium on October 6, 2024, in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Matt Thomas/San Diego Padres/Getty Images) -
Los Angeles Dodgers fans yell toward Jurickson Profar #10 of the San Diego Padres during the seventh inning in game two of the National League Division Series at Dodger Stadium on Sunday, Oct. 6, 2024 in Los Angeles. (Getty Images) -
Los Angeles, CA, Sunday, October 6, 2024 – San Diego Padres outfielder Fernando Tatis Jr. (23) is hit by a pitch from Dodgers pitcher Jack Flaherty in game two of the National League Division Series at Dodger Stadium. (Robert Gauthier/Los Angeles Times via Getty Images)
After the catch, Profar taunted fans by staring at them and then hopping up and down several times before throwing the ball to the infield.
In another incident, San Diego third baseman Manny Machado threw a ball into the Dodgers’ dugout that seemed intended for manager Dave Roberts.
“That was very bothersome. If it was intended at me, I would be very — it’s pretty disrespectful,” Roberts said Monday before the Dodgers had an early evening workout at Petco Park.
Dodgers starter Jack Flaherty and Machado exchanged profanities.
Asked about Flaherty’s accusation, Machado said, “I throw balls all the time into dugouts. Both dugouts. They have bad balls, you throw the ball back in there.”
The Padres, meanwhile, evened the series at 1-1 powered by six home runs. Two of those homers came off the bat of Fernando Tatis Jr., who was hit by a pitch from Flaherty, which also angered Machado.
Flaherty also hollered at Machado after striking him out with two runners on in the sixth.
In an email to season ticket holders on Monday, Padres CEO Erik Greupner joined his manager in urging fans to control their emotions.
“Our game is at its best when our players and fans give everything they have for their team and city while showing respect and sportsmanship towards players and fans of the opposing team,” Greupner wrote. “There is never an excuse for abusive speech or behavior towards others at Petco Park. Our Guest Code of Conduct… contains a zero-tolerance policy for any violations, including throwing items onto the field or making offensive, foul, or abusive comments to anyone. Any guest who violates our Code of Conduct will be immediately ejected from Petco Park, without refund.”
The Associated Press contributed to this report.