Tempers Flare Between Will Smith and Marcell Ozuna in Dodgers v Braves Game

The Dodgers came from behind to beat the Braves on Monday night, turning a 4-0 deficit to a 8-6 win. Beyond all the fireworks that came with the high scoring affair, there were also some fireworks on the field between LA catcher Will Smith and ATL DH Marcell Ozuna.

In the bottom of the 4th inning, Smith was hit on the head by Ozuna's long, exaggerated follow-through on a swing that produced a lazy fly out to left field. Smith was not having it.

Bullpens empty after Marcell Ozuna's backswing strikes Will Smith

"That's like the fifth time you've done it" pic.twitter.com/kt7hq31Sji
— Jomboy Media (@JomboyMedia) May 23, 2023

Astute lip readers caught the Dodger catcher tell Ozuna "that's like the fifth time you've done it" and to "clean it up.

Will Smith was pissed at Ozuna for hitting him on the head with his bat on the follow through.

Smith to Ozuna:

“You’ve got to clean it up”

pic.twitter.com/rc7oD7NEer
— Doug McKain (@DMAC_LA) May 23, 2023

One fan quickly found at least one more instance of Ozuna hitting Smith with his overdone swing.

Marcell Ozuna got Will Smith with a backswing last year, too pic.twitter.com/8hk48dliYV
— Daniel Brim (@DanielBrim) May 23, 2023

The benches nearly emptied during Monday night's incident with most of the bullpen relievers already making their way onto the field.

Benches nearly clear in Atlanta as Will Smith gets into it with Marcell Ozuna after getting hit in the head by his backswing.pic.twitter.com/Z6PW0l3MQ2
— Foul Territory (@FoulTerritoryTV) May 23, 2023

Ozuna seemed apologetic through the altercation, but Smith wasn't going to be ok with it until his piece was heard.

Considering Will's recent history with a concussion earlier this year, he's understandably more sensitive to potential head injuries, and rightfully so.

Smith stayed in the game and showed no ill effects of the hit by bat.

"Hit me in the head with the bat pretty hard," Smith said after the game. "It's not the first time he's done it to me. I just felt like I had to say something about it."

Will did confirm Ozuna did not apologize for the incident.