MIAMI -- If Dave Roberts gets the call as National League Manager of the Year, he might not hear the phone ring over the shouts from angry Los Angeles Dodgers fans.

Roberts recognized disappointed Dodgers fans not long after he denied starter Rich Hill a chance at history Saturday. Hill was just two innings away from a perfect game, which would have been the first for the Dodgers since Sandy Koufax had one 51 years ago, but Roberts went to his bullpen instead.

"There's a lot of fans in Los Angeles that are very upset with me, I'm sure," Roberts said from his Marlins Park office following a 5-0 victory. "But the city of Los Angeles, the Dodgers, in my opinion that was the best thing to do for us to win a championship."

It was, in fact, the second time Roberts has cut short a historic outing. In Ross Stripling's major league debut, April 8 at San Francisco, Roberts removed his young pitcher, and the bullpen lost the no-hitter when Chris Hatcher gave up a home run one batter later.

In both instances, Roberts was making considerations for both the player and the team. Hill was making just his third start for the Dodgers after spending six weeks on the disabled list because of blister issues. The Dodgers acquired him on Aug. 1 from the Oakland A's, while he was still on the DL.

In Stripling's case, the right-hander was two years removed from Tommy John surgery and at 100 pitches, so Roberts made the move.

"I'm going to lose sleep tonight, and I probably should," Roberts said about removing Hill. "I don't see myself having to make a tougher decision than this one. But I know that my best interest was for him and his finger and the Dodgers."

Roberts might squarely be in the manager-of-the-year hunt, but reaction to his decision is sure to be divided. Baseball history like this does not come around often, and Roberts not only recognized disappointed Dodgers fans after the game, but Hill's family as well. Seemingly upset when the decision was made to remove him from the game, Hill seemed to come to terms with it an hour after his start had ended.

"Look, Dave has been incredible," Hill said. "This organization has been incredible, and where we are at as a team is far more important than any accolades. You have to look at it from that standpoint and move forward."

But getting denied your chance at history? Only 23 perfect games have been recorded.

"Dave has been incredible, and it goes without saying, the position we are in has a lot to do with how he's been able to orchestrate this team," Hill said. "There is a lot of credit that goes to Dave. I don't think there should be (anything said) other than the position we're in is a good one."