Manny Machado rips Dodger’s Jack Flaherty, says outfielder hit Padres teammate on purpose
They were seen screaming during Sunday night’s game, but we may know why now after San Diego Padres third baseman Manny Machado called out Los Angeles Dodgers starter Jack Flaherty.
Machado believes Flaherty intentionally struck out Fernando Tatis Jr., the Padres’ current leadoff hitter, during Game 2’s 10-2 win over San Diego.
There were many reasons why the postseason battle turned chaotic Sunday night, as fans at Dodger Stadium threw objects, such as baseballs and beer cans, at Padres players until the Padres, umpires and field had to be stopped. security meets in the middle of the field.
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San Diego Padres outfielder Fernando Tatis Jr. and third baseman Banny Machado during the NLDS game against Los Angeles at Dodger Stadium. (Photos by Jayne Kamin-Oncea-Imagn)
The hostility from the crowd was taken to heart, but this NL West rivalry was on full display as Machado and Flaherty taunted each other after the sixth inning, when Tatis was hit by a pitch from the Dodger right fielder.
After the game, Machado shared his thoughts on the situation on MLB.com.
“You tried to beat our best attacker,” he said bluntly.
PADRES’ GAME 2 NLDS DEFEAT DODGERS TAKES A Ugly TURN AS FANS THROW OBJECTS AT SAN DIEGO PLAYERS
“If you can’t knock him out, don’t knock him out, right? They got the best player in the game, right? Ohtani? We’re not going out there to try to knock Ohtani out. We’re trying to knock him out. .”
Tatis, who struck out Flaherty in the first inning to get the Padres on the scoreboard first, also felt like he was hit by a pitch on purpose.
“There’s a lot of value chains you can throw at guys,” Tatis said, via MLB.com. “That’s what I understand. That’s what my baseball IQ tells me. When he hit me, he just gave me power. My guys gave me more power.”
Los Angeles pitcher Jack Flaherty pitches against the San Diego Padres in the second inning at Dodger Stadium. (Photos by Jayne Kamin-Oncea-Imagn)
Flaherty, however, denied throwing to Tatis, saying he was trying to throw more inside because that first home run was left over the plate.
“Look, I missed the first inning and threw the ball in,” he explained, via MLB.com. “I wasn’t going to miss the plate again. I have no reason to hit a guy when I started in the sixth.”
Machado would strike out against Flaherty later in the sixth inning, and that’s when tempers flared, as the pitcher told him to “sit down, motherf—-,” after getting a fielder to hit.
Then, as Flaherty entered the sixth inning, he and Machado were still exchanging words. It even got to the point where it was revealed that Machado said he would meet with Flaherty outside of the game.
San Diego Padres third baseman Manny Machado reacts after hitting Los Angeles at Dodger Stadium. (Photos by Jayne Kamin-Oncea-Imagn)
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The NLDS is one game away as it heads to San Diego in Game 3 on Tuesday night, where there will be more drama as these National League powerhouses compete for a chance to win the pennant.
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