The Los Angeles Dodgers-San Francisco Giants rivalry is still going strong.Following a 3-0 win over the Giants on Thursday, Dodgers manager Dave Roberts accused Giants ace Logan Webb of intentionally plunking Dodgers catcher Dalton Rushing following an incident from two nights ago, according to Dave Vassegh of AM 570 LA Sports.The pitch in question came in the sixth inning, when Webb hit Rushing in the ribs with a 91.3 fastball with one out and a 1-0 count.Great job by Logan Webb sending a message to Dalton Rushing while trailing by 3 runs pic.twitter.com/KLck2IVKaB— Blake Harris (@BlakeHHarris) April 23, 2026The context for that pitch, namely why the Giants might not be big fans of the Dodgers’ back-up catcher right now, goes back to Tuesday night, when Rushing was at the plate and Giants outfielder Jung Hoo Lee made a break for home.The ball beat Lee to the plate, resulting in a third out and some glancing contact that left Lee on the ground and possibly injured. As Rushing walked off the field, cameras caught him appearing to say something various observers interpreted as “F*** em.”Dalton Rushing after seeing Jung Hoo Lee possibly injured in a play at the plate (I’m pretty sure):“F$&k em” Giants Dodgers rivalry is alive and well. pic.twitter.com/h4aAjFTZyk— Allen Stiles (@The_StilesFiles) April 22, 2026It was a story that didn’t paint Rushing in the best light, and comeuppance had to wait until Thursday as Rushing was out of the lineup on Wednesday.However, Rushing and Lee also appeared to spend that Wednesday burying the hatchet.
Rushing told the Los Angeles Times he had checked in to see if Lee was OK and said he hoped to speak with him Thursday. He and Roberts also denied he said what he was accused of saying:“I used a word, but it was not what was said that was said. I’ll just leave it at that.
There was no direction toward him.“I just think some people make something out of nothing.”Lee, meanwhile, spoke with Rushing via countryman and Dodgers infielder Hyeseong Kim and got an apology, via MLB.com:"Not sure what the media was going through, but I met with (Hyeseong Kim). Rushing explained that he wanted to make an (apology) if there was any kind of misunderstanding."That apparently didn’t save Rushing from a plunking. After the game Thursday, he again downplayed the matter and said he was fine with the HBP, per the California Post:"I like getting on base," Rushing said.
"If it was intentional, I'll take it. I'll take what I deserve."Webb, meanwhile, pleaded ignorance, responding “What thing with Jung Hoo?” when asked about the pitch. We’ll see if MLB accepts that as a defense, as intentional plunkings often lead to pitcher fines.Rushing also appeared to respond right after getting hit by Webb, with a hard slide into Giants shortstop Willy Adames.Is there a more unlikable player in baseball than Dalton Rushing lol pic.twitter.com/Zfex6QSLwv— trev (@BayAreaTrev) April 23, 2026Believe it or not, this is only the second time this season Rushing has experienced bad blood with an NL West opponent.
In the Dodgers’ series against the Colorado Rockies last weekend, he also accused the Rockies of doing something “fishy” (i.e. sign-stealing) and ended up getting relentlessly mocked by Colorado for the rest of the series.All of that is coming amid a torrid start to the season for Rushing after a quiet rookie year. In 35 plate appearances through Saturday, he is slashing .419/.486/1.161 with seven homers. Despite playing only 10 games this season, he is tied for seventh in the National League in homers.The Dodgers’ win Thursday also salvaged the series for the defending champs, who are tied with the San Diego Padres for the NL West lead at 17-8. The Giants, meanwhile, are in fourth place at 11-14.