With the Dodgers clinging to a 2-0 lead against the Cubs in the fifth inning, L.A. manager Don Mattingly decided that Skip Schumaker gave his team a better chance to win than phenom Yasiel Puig.
"I like to keep it in house," Mattingly told reporters after the Dodgers' 4-0 win when asked for details about his decision. "So I don't think there's any reason to discuss reasons why, this, that whatever. It doesn't really matter. But my decision today was simply based on, that I felt like Skip was going to give us a better chance to win today."
Mark Saxon of ESPNLosAngeles.com reported that Mattingly benched Puig for disciplinary reasons. According to Austin Laymance of MLB.com, Puig didn't slide into second base to try and break up a double play and also made two "nonchalant catches" in the outfield. He also struck out and drew a walk.
Puig's postgame comments seemed to corroborate the lack-of-hustle reports yet he agreed with Mattingly's decision to take him out of the game.
The 24-year-old Cuban defector was fined and left out of the starting lineup for a game earlier in August due to showing up late to the ballpark. Puig went on to pinch-hit in that game and hit the go-ahead home run.
So what will Puig do on Thursday? He will face off against the first pitcher he ever faced in the major leagues, San Diego's Eric Stults. Puig went 2-for-4 with two singles.
Related
Before You Go
