Padres-Dodgers NLDS Game 2 is delayed after fans throw objects onto the field

LOS ANGELES – The start of the seventh inning Sunday was delayed and nearly two dozen security guards lined the foul lines at Dodger Stadium after fans threw objects onto the field in Game 2 of the NLDS, further escalating tensions between the Los Angeles Dodgers and the division rival San Diego Padres.

Two baseballs were thrown toward Padres left fielder Jurickson Profar, who was having fun with the fans in the first inning by reaching into the stands to rob Mookie Betts of a home run and spending some time showing them off , before revealing that he had secured the baseball.

Profar got into a heated argument with the umpires after two baseballs came dangerously close to him in the seventh, prompting all of the Padres' players, along with manager Mike Shildt, to come onto the field and gather around him. Moments later, as the defensive players returned to their positions, three objects were thrown into the right field warning track toward Fernando Tatis Jr.

The excitement on the field began when Dodgers starting pitcher Jack Flaherty singled Tatis with a 1-0 sinker to left in the top of the sixth inning. Flaherty apologized briefly, but Profar and Dodgers catcher Will Smith, who made headlines earlier in the season by calling Profar “irrelevant,” then exchanged a few words at home plate.

Moments later, Flaherty hit Manny Machado, yelled at him and motioned for him to go back to the dugout. Machado was made aware of Flaherty's comments as he approached the dugout railing and stared at him as he was removed from the game immediately afterward. Machado and Flaherty continued to insult each other as Machado returned to defense at the start of the seventh period.

Then fans tuned in, causing a nine-minute delay.