Padres’ Luke Voit collides with Reds’ Tyler Stephenson at plate, tensions boil

San Diego Padres base runner Luke Voit got here underneath hearth after a collision with Cincinnati Reds catcher Tyler Stephenson in a play on the plate within the first inning of the Padres’ 6-2 win Tuesday.

Voit slammed into Stephenson’s head as he tried to attain from first base on a Jurickson Profar double. One way or the other, Stephenson held onto the ball for the out however left the sport with a concussion.

San Diego supervisor Bob Melvin defended the play.

“The ball takes him proper into Luke,” he stated. “There’s nowhere to go, and I believe Luke was simply attempting to guard himself placing his fingers up. I believe they acquired it proper.”

However Reds gamers weren’t completely happy.

Cincinnati Reds catcher Tyler Stephenson, left, tags out the San Diego Padres’ Luke Voit, who was attempting to attain from first off a double by Jurickson Profar through the first inning of a recreation Tuesday, April 19, 2022, in San Diego.
(AP Picture/Gregory Bull)

“Not too usually you see a runner slide and seize somebody’s head and slam it to the bottom like that,” Reds shortstop Kyler Farmer informed reporters after the sport, by way of ESPN. “You’re often attempting to achieve for the bag. Perhaps that’s what he was attempting to do. After trying on the replay, it regarded like a wrestling transfer to Tyler’s head and snapped it down.”

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Reds outfielder Tommy Pham referred to as the play “soiled.”

“I don’t prefer it in any respect. The way in which his fingers hit him within the face, it was soiled. If Luke needs to settle it, I get down very well,” Pham stated. “Something, Muay Thai, no matter. I’ve acquired a (health club) proprietor right here who will let me use his facility.”

Voit defined the play after the sport, in keeping with the San Diego Union-Tribune.

“I wasn’t attempting to take him out or something. I suppose my elbow type of simply smoked his head somewhat bit. I hope he’s all proper,” Voit stated. “I imply, it ended up being a superb throw, and the ball type of took him in, and I attempted to go round him. … I’m really actually stunned that he held on to it. It was fairly spectacular.

A Cincinnati Reds official examines catcher Tyler Stephenson, after he was injured tagging out the San Diego Padres’ Luke Voit at residence through the first inning of a recreation Tuesday, April 19, 2022, in San Diego.
(AP Picture/Gregory Bull)

“It was 250 kilos coming proper at him. I imply, it’s baseball. I wasn’t attempting to make it soiled or something. Simply attempting to make a play, clearly. … As soon as I hit third, it’s like, ‘Right here I’m going.’ I do know it’s gonna be an in depth play. You clearly don’t know the place the ball is gonna be. It simply occurs. I attempted to keep away from, tried to be protected and that play ended up occurring.”

The umpires dominated the slide was clear. If it was unlawful, Profar would’ve been despatched again to second base. He superior to 3rd on the relay throw.

The Related Press contributed to this report.