NLDS: LA Dodgers fan who threw first ball at Padres players in Game 2 speaks out

The game was forced to stop for nine minutes in the seventh inning when fans began throwing things at San Diego Padres players.

“There’s no reason to throw anything at players, no matter what happens,” Dodgers pitcher Jack Flaherty said.

The tension seemed to have started in the first round. Padres outfielder Jurickson Profar robbed Mookie Betts of a home run, snatching the ball out of the stands.

Related story: Padres limit ticket sales for NLDS games against Dodgers to areas near San Diego

Later in the game, he handed a ball to a Dodgers fan, who then threw it back onto the field. This fan was Mario Zazueta.

“Profar has a ball and he looks straight at me. I said, ‘I don’t want it,'” Zazueta said. “I said, ‘No, I’ll throw it away.’ He just, with a big grin and a big smile, and he handed me the ball, so as soon as I got that ball, I turned around and threw it over the line.

A few seconds later, another ball is thrown near Profar. And when more elements began to arrive on the field, security invaded the outfield.

Zazueta ended up being kicked out of the match. He said he understands why, although he’s a little upset that other fans started throwing things onto the field, triggering this pause in the game.

“It just puts a black eye on the Dodger market because 99.9 percent of the people are not like that,” Zazueta said. “You get these one percent who ruin everyone.”

The Dodgers did not comment on fan behavior Sunday night, but fans placed much of the blame for the game’s interruption on Padres players for cheering on the crowd.

“When I saw the video of him being taunted – like when you look back and watch what he’s doing, back and forth, I can understand why – even though it wasn’t right – for throwing things on the field,” said Javier, a Dodgers fan. Gonzalez said.

Los Angeles police said no arrests had been made at the stadium Sunday evening.

Game 3 of the NLDS is scheduled for Tuesday in San Diego.