Dodgers’ Dave Roberts didn’t appreciate costly Will Smith decision in Yoshinobu Yamamoto’s start originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

The Los Angeles Dodgers have been stunned by the Milwaukee Brewers in the first two games of the NLCS. The Dodgers have held leads in both games but have ultimately come out on the losing end each time.

Monday’s loss left the team in shock, especially after their ace, Yoshinobu Yamamoto, was pulled early. Yamamoto’s night ended in the third inning after he surrendered the lead and reached a high pitch count. Dodgers manager Dave Roberts revealed why he decided to take his ace out of the game.

“For me, I felt we had to stop the damage right there,” Roberts said.

It was a difficult night for Yamamoto and, more specifically, his shortest outing of the season. The performance will likely remain a talking point until his next start.

“The stat line said it all for the Dodgers’ second starter: 2.2 innings pitched, four hits and three earned runs given up, while striking out just one batter. Yamamoto was tasked with stopping the bleeding after a rough Game 1 outing from the Dodgers’ offense and couldn’t do it against a Brewers lineup that has most likely been living in the film room dissecting every pitch from the Dodgers star,” ClutchPoints’ Nick Meyer wrote.

However, in the third inning, catcher Will Smith had an opportunity to challenge a ball call that would have resulted in strike three and ended the inning. Smith decided not to challenge the call, and the Brewers went on to have a big inning. After the game, Roberts revealed that he didn’t appreciate the decision not to challenge.

“I didn’t appreciate that. Will’s got a great view of that, you try to defer to your catchers for challenges. If you look back, that changes the outing,” Roberts said.

The Dodgers have been cautious with their ABS challenges after using them early and wasting them at the start of the playoffs. However, in that situation, Smith had to recognize that taking the risk could have been worthwhile.

Roberts will likely review the situation with Smith, going over when it makes sense to use an ABS challenge and when to hold back. His comments suggest he believes a challenge could have helped his ace avoid the damage that followed.

More MLB news:

• Blue Jays predicted to sign $10M high-energy Yankees Silver Slugger winner, 2-time All-Star

• Dodgers $5.5M postseason hero is expected to be on NLCS roster vs. Brewers after freak injury

• Blue Jays predicted to sign $85M former Silver Slugger finalist to revitalize World Series hopes

• Braves’ Ronald Acuna Jr. gets emotional on future with Atlanta after losing NLDS to Dodgers