Los Angeles: Streaks of dirt sullied the uniform of Matt Kemp as he waited for the umpires to render judgement. He had fitted himself into his Dodgers cap and grabbed his glove from the dugout before the fourth inning of Wednesday’s 3-2 victory over the Rangers. He resembled a kid who had roughhoused in a sandbox, hoping he would still be allowed to play.
The crowd at Dodger Stadium groaned when the verdict came down. Kemp was ejected, along with Texas catcher Robinson Chirinos, for their dust-up to end the third inning. Kemp bowled over Chirinos at the plate. The players traded shoves before their teammates separated them. Then the umpires forced both to exit the premises.
“It’s not a big deal,” Kemp said. “Two guys shoving each other, and then it’s over. Really not that big a deal.”
The Dodgers won the game 3-2 in the 11th,
