Padres back 'relevant' Jurickson Profar after clutch hit vs. Dodgers - ESPN

LOS ANGELES — San Diego Padres outfielder Jurickson Profar came up with the game-winning hit that led to a series victory Sunday at Dodger Stadium, a three-run double in the seventh inning. That it came one day after Los Angeles Dodgers catcher Will Smith called him «irrelevant» did not go unnoticed by one of his most prominent teammates.

«Irrelevant? I don't know. You'll have to check the dictionary on that,» Padres third baseman Manny Machado said after the6-3 win. «He's been leading this team big time. The numbers speak for themselves. Every time he comes out here, steps on that field, he makes a big impact on the game. At the end of the day, boy got 10 years in the league. There's only a handful of baseball players, in all of baseball, who accomplish that goal, so, gotta put a little bit of respect on his name.»

Profar took exception to being brushed back by an up-and-in cutter from Dodgers starter Gavin Stone in the fifth inning Saturday, triggering a benches-clearing incident. It was a surprising reaction to the Dodgers, who noted they led by only a run and that Stone was throwing a perfect game.

Smith, speaking to AM 570 after the game, said of Profar, «I don't know why we would've thrown at him. He's kind of irrelevant.»

A day later, with the score tied at 3 in the seventh inning, Profar responded in the best way possible, coming up with the bases loaded and one out and lining a J.P. Feyereisen offering off the top of the center-field wall.

Profar, a beloved clubhouse presence who was brought back on a $1 million contract during spring training, has a .960 OPS thus far.

«I can tell you this — Profar is very relevant to us,» Padres manager Mike Shildt said. «He's a glue guy for us. Guy's got 10 years in the big