Sport 2 of the Nationwide League Division Sequence launched a sideshow right into a tense, see-saw battle between the Los Angeles Dodgers and San Diego Padres — one which roped in Dodgers supervisor Dave Roberts and Padres third baseman Manny Machado.
It started when Machado chucked a baseball within the course of the Dodgers’ dugout, bouncing off a protecting display in entrance of Roberts. Context is vital to understanding why the Padres thought nothing of it: the ball had been scuffed up beforehand and Machado was tossing the ball within the course of a ball boy, one thing he often does in that state of affairs.
However the throw was maybe a bit zippier than standard. A pair Dodgers — notably pitcher Jack Flaherty — took offense.
Roberts stated nothing of the incident in his postgame press convention after the Dodgers’ 10-2 loss. However the next day, he had some unusually harsh phrases for Machado, calling the incident “unsettling,” “very bothersome,” and “fairly disrespectful.” He stated “there was intent behind” Machado’s throw.
Friday, after the Dodgers beat the Padres 2-0 in Sport 5 to clinch the collection, Roberts primarily recanted his accusations in an interview with Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic. He stated his response was designed to take the stress off his personal gamers.
Extra information: Dodgers Submit Video of Manny Machado’s Throw Toward Their Dugout to MLB
“As a supervisor, you by no means need to make it about you,” Roberts said. “However I simply felt in that state of affairs, if we might take (the stress) off our guys slightly bit…Manny and I’ve a very good relationship. I might take him any day. However I do not assume that diversion was a nasty factor for our guys. They usually responded by having my again.”
Machado performed for the Dodgers, and Roberts, in 2018. He signed an 11-year, $350 million free-agent contract with San Diego after the season.
Harry How/Getty Photographs
Machado’s heel flip, signing a profitable contract with a division rival, made him a logical lightning rod for the Dodgers and their followers.
Machado, 32, has embraced the function. He used it as a rallying level to focus his teammates when he known as an impromptu assembly within the dugout later in Sport 2 — which paused for 12 minutes after followers at Dodger Stadium threw objects within the course of the Padres’ outfielders.
The Dodgers submitted a video of Machado’s throw within the course of Roberts to Main League Baseball. The league ostensibly felt the incident didn’t warrant any supplemental self-discipline.
Extra information: Longtime AL General Manager Could Leave for Same Role in NL West
Roberts in the end determined to let bygones be bygones. Maybe that was simpler to do after his crew emerged victorious from a tense collection, however kudos to the supervisor for setting the report straight — and for successfully utilizing a innocent motion by an opponent as a motivational device for his gamers.
For extra MLB postseason information, go to Newsweek Sports.
