They were seen talking throughout Sunday night's game, but we might know why now after San Diego Padres third baseman Manny Machado criticized Los Angeles Dodgers starter Jack Flaherty.
Machado believes Flaherty intentionally hit Fernando Tatis Jr., the Padres' best hitter at the moment, during San Diego's 10-2 victory in Game 2.
There were many reasons why this postseason battle was a disaster on Sunday night, with fans at Dodger Stadium throwing objects, such as baseballs and beer cans, at Padres players to the point where it was necessary. completely stop the game with the Padres, the referees and the stadium. Security gathering in the middle of the field.
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San Diego Padres outfielder Fernando Tatis Jr. and third baseman Manny Machado during the NLDS game against Los Angeles at Dodger Stadium. (Images by Jayne Kamin-Oncea-Imagn)
The crowd's animosity reached a fever pitch, but this NL West rivalry was on full display when Machado and Flaherty clashed after the sixth inning, when Tatis was hit by a pitch from the right-handed Dodger. .
After the game, Machado expressed his opinion on the situation to MLB.com.
“He tried to hit our best hitter,” he said plainly.
PADRES'S NLDS GAME 2 WIN OVER DODGERS TURNS UGLY AS FANS THROW OBJECTS AT SAN DIEGO PLAYERS
“If you can't get him out, don't hit him, right? They have the best player in the game, right? Ohtani? We don't go out and try to hit Ohtani. We try to get him out.” “.
Tatis, who homered off Flaherty early in the first inning to put the Padres on the scoreboard first, also felt the pitch hit him on purpose.
“There's too important a series to just throw it at guys,” Tatis said, via MLB.com. “That's what I understand. That's what my baseball IQ tells me. When he hit me, it just gave me more energy. My guys gave me more energy.”
Los Angeles pitcher Jack Flaherty pitches against the San Diego Padres in the second inning at Dodger Stadium. (Images by Jayne Kamin-Oncea-Imagn)
Flaherty, however, denied pitching to Tatis, saying he was trying to throw more in because that first-inning home run came over the plate.
“Look, I fumbled in the first inning and threw the ball up the middle,” he explained via MLB.com. “I wasn't going to miss the plate again. I have no reason to hit a guy there starting the sixth.”
Machado would strike out Flaherty later in the sixth inning, and that's when tempers began to flare, as the pitcher told him to “sit down, son of a bitch,” after getting the infielder to strike out.
Then, with Flaherty in the dugout during the bottom of the sixth inning, he and Machado were still exchanging words. It got to the point where it looked like Machado had said he would meet Flaherty outside after the game.
San Diego Padres third baseman Manny Machado reacts after striking out against Los Angeles at Dodger Stadium. (Images by Jayne Kamin-Oncea-Imagn)
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This NLDS matchup is even now at one game apiece as it heads to San Diego for Game 3 on Tuesday night, where there is sure to be more drama as these National League powers compete for a chance to win the pennant.
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