Tensions are going to be awfully high for Wednesday’s game between the Cincinnati Reds and San Diego Padres after what went down in Tuesday night’s matchup at Petco Park. It shouldn’t be a surprise if crew chief Mark Carlson hands out warnings to both dugouts right away.
The Reds were furious with the Padres after San Diego’s 6-2 win because catcher Tyler Stephenson landed on the seven-day concussion list following a home-plate collision with Luke Voit.
The play happened in the first inning with Voit trying to score on Jurickson Profar’s double to left. The throw to home beat Voit, and during the slide, Stephenson kind of lunged into the path of Voit. The slide in itself wasn’t dirty, but the Reds took issue with how Voit pushed at Stephenson’s head.
Luke Voit laid some solid contact on Reds catcher Tyler Stephenson pic.twitter.com/JkYKwZBnu8
— Jomboy Media (@JomboyMedia) April 20, 2022
Stephenson held onto the ball for the out. And after the game, the Reds’ Tommy Pham — who used to play for the Padres — straight up challenged Voit to a fight. He said via USA TODAY Sports:
“The way his hands hit him, it was dirty as (expletive). I don’t like it at all. The way his hands hit him in the face, it was dirty. If Luke wants to settle it, I get down really well. Anything, Muay Thai, whatever. I’ve got a (gym) owner here who will let me use his facility. So, (expletive) ’em.”
There’s a decent case to be made that Voit was just trying to protect himself as Stephenson dove into the path of his slide. The push-off to the head area looked bad, but it was also a split-second reaction. The Reds probably won’t be too receptive to that explanation, though.
MLB fans had plenty of thoughts on this drama over the slide.