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Utley ejected after asking umpire to move out of the way

Robert Hanashiro / USA TODAY Sports

Chase Utley asked for a clear line of sight, and was told to hit the showers.

During the ninth inning of Saturday's game against the San Diego Padres, the Los Angeles Dodgers second baseman asked second-base umpire Ramon De Jesus to change his positioning as Utley thought he was in the way. After a brief exchange, Utley was ejected.

"Over the course of my career, it's happened to me a few times where I get blocked out by the umpire and it turns out to be a tough play," Utley said, according to Eric Stephens of the Orange County Register. "I wanted to try to avoid that. Most umpires oblige.

"I feel like I have a pretty good rapport with a number of guys throughout the league, throughout the years. Clearly not with him. I don't know."

Dodgers skipper Dave Roberts said he was shocked by the decision, especially during a time in the game when the tying run was at the plate in the ninth inning.

"In my opinion, it was a big toss," Roberts said, according to Joshua Thornton of MLB.com. "A guy like Chase, who is respected around the game, I was shocked."

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