Dodgers manager: Hector Neris’ staredown was ‘unacceptable’

Hector Neris was finally able to close out a game against the Los Angeles Dodgers on Thursday night, but the Philadelphia Phillies reliever ruffled some feathers with the way he stared into the visiting dugout after the game. Dave Roberts was among those who did not appreciate it.

Neris, who blew a save in the Phillies’ win on Tuesday night, entered the ninth with a 7-5 lead. He allowed a two-out home run to Alex Verdugo but got Justin Turner to fly out to end the game. He then shouted an obscenity and stared into the LA dugout. Dodgers manager Dave Roberts called the behavior “unacceptable.”

#Dodgers Dave Roberts on Neris: "He was very emotional with the save. It was a big win for them. I think we played this series the right way, played it straight. To look in our dugout and to taunt in any way, I think it's unacceptable. … Look in your own dugout."

— Bill Plunkett (@billplunkettocr) July 18, 2019

The players obviously agreed with Roberts, as evidenced by their reaction to Neris’ antics.

I'm not sure what happened after the last out but it certainly got the Dodgers attention pic.twitter.com/itz25VPxjw

— Jomboy (@Jomboy_) July 18, 2019

Neris, who admitted after the game that his emotions got the best of him, has struggled mightily against the Dodgers. He’s currently appealing a three-game suspension that he received for hitting David Freese with a pitch on Tuesday night, which he appeared to do because he was upset about surrendering a homer to Matt Beatty. You can understand why the Dodgers were irritated that he stared into their dugout, especially since they have owned him overall.