It is no exaggeration to say that the National League Division Series (NLDS) between the Los Angeles Dodgers and the San Diego Padres is a “machado series.”
San Diego’s “leader” Manny Machado committed an act that sparked controversy in the second game held at Dodger Stadium on the 7th (Korea time). The situation was like this at the time.
Dodgers starter Zach Fleherty hit leadoff Fernando Tatis Jr. on the thigh in the top of the sixth inning. With a bunt hit, the Dodgers’ starting pitcher Jurickson Profar hit first and second base with no outs. Then, Fleherty struck out Machado with a swing and miss, and made abusive remarks towards him. Machado must have been annoyed by the view that he intended to hit Tatis. Machado was withdrawn to the dugout without much response.
Machado’s behavior in question was in the middle of the inning ahead of the defense in the bottom of the sixth inning. Starter Darvish Yu was handed the ball that was warming up and threw it as if throwing it into the Dodgers dugout on the third base, and manager Dave Roberts was in the direction.
Roberts bowed his head and looked into something at the time, so he failed to see Machado’s throw. He later pointed out that he was “disrespectful” after watching the video.
However, Machado said, “A ball that is finished with practice always goes to the first or third base. That was not my intention.” On top of that, San Diego coach Mike Shildt shot Roberts, saying, “I don’t disparage other team players, especially those who used to be with me.”
Machado was traded from the Baltimore Orioles to the Dodgers in July 2018, and has worked with Roberts for more than three months until the World Series. Manager Silt mentioned this.
Then, after taking a day off, Game 3 took place at Petco Park on Saturday. Machado’s “dug-out throw,” which had been hotly debated for 48 hours, no longer mattered. Players from both teams only focused on the game, and there was no controversy over Machado.
However, Machado’s witty base running was the decisive play that led to San Diego’s victory.
Machado went out as a leadoff hitter in the bottom of the second inning when his team was losing 0-1, and hit a low cutter in the middle of 92.8 miles by Dodgers starter Walker Buehler for a critical hit. Jackson Merrill then hit a ground ball flowing toward the first base. Dodgers first baseman Freddie Freeman’s hard catch and kneeling down to second base hit Machado’s back and flowed to left field, leading to a chance to first and third bases with no outs.
At this time, Machado’s base running was somewhat special. Freeman’s throw hit him in the back the moment he stepped on the grass and ran to second base. According to records, Freeman’s fielder selection and throwing error,
MLB.com said, “Freeman, who was in front of the first base, threw to second base while kneeling, and Machado slightly changed his main course over the infield lawn. Unless he changed the main course to avoid tags, it is not a violation of the rules,” adding, “Freeman’s throw hit Machado in the back, and the Padres had a chance to hit the first and third bases with no outs.”
Shortstop Miguel Rojas, who caught Xander Bogaerts’ ground ball, then stepped on second base and threw it to first base, but all runners were safe. Fielders’ choice without errors. In the meantime, Machado, the third baseman, homered and tied 1-1.
San Diego then ran away 6-1 with David Peralta’s two-run double, Kyle Higashioka’s sacrifice fly to center field, and Fernando Tatis Jr.’s two-run homer to left. The Dodgers gradually followed with Teoscar Hernandez’s grand slam in the top of the third inning, but San Diego then thoroughly blocked additional runs and won a thrilling victory. This is because Machado’s intentional throwing interference shook the Dodgers greatly.
Roberts said after the game, “I couldn’t appeal. From my point of view, it wasn’t a challenge to replay the play. Manny, or a runner, is free to play the base running as long as it’s not to avoid the tag. He was a “heady play,” acknowledging Machado’s wit.
Machado explained about the base running, “I practiced all the time during the spring training. Just in time, such a situation happened at a very important moment. We were able to make a base in our favor, and we were going to make it difficult for him to throw to second base as soon as the ground ball went in front of Freddie.” In other words, it was a planned base running.
Machado went 4 for 14 (0.286), had one homer, two RBIs, three runs scored, and had an OPS of 0.786 through Game 3. He has a strong presence in offense and defense, and as a team leader. 안전놀이터
