SAN DIEGO – The baseball that San Diego Padres third baseman Manny Machado threw at the Dodgers dugout Sunday night – sparking another heated back-and-forth between him and Los Angeles pitcher Jack Flaherty – landed near Dodgers manager Dave Roberts.

Roberts said Monday before his team’s practice that he initially didn’t notice it, but later watched an internal video of the throw.

“It was disturbing,” Roberts said. “Obviously I’ve been in a relationship with Manny for years. There was a purpose behind it. It almost didn’t affect me because there was a net. And that was very annoying. If it was aimed at me, I would be very… It’s kind of disrespectful. I don’t know his intent. I don’t want to speak for him, but I saw the video and the ball was pointed at me with something behind it.”

Major League Baseball has been in contact with Dodgers security personnel and asked for footage of the incident, sources told ESPN, although punishment appears unlikely. A video showing what appeared to be the incident in question has been posted on social media.

Here’s an alternate camera angle of San Diego 3B Manny Machado throwing a ball toward the Los Angeles Dodgers dugout during Game 2 of the NLDS, obtained by ESPN. The incident remains a point of contention in Game 3 tonight @Alden_Gonzalez reported: https://t.co/grEVYusdPY pic.twitter.com/Qo0CGqqeVz

— Jeff Passan (@JeffPassan) October 8, 2024

After Sunday’s Game 2 — a 10-2 Padres victory that tied the National League Division Series at one game apiece — Machado accused Flaherty of attacking Fernando Tatis Jr. from San Diego on purpose to start the sixth inning, an accusation that Flaherty vehemently denounces. refused. Two batters later, Flaherty struck out Machado and then yelled in his direction and told him to “sit down.”

Machado didn’t seem bothered by Flaherty’s reaction, instead putting it down to “competition.” But the two exchanged words when Machado came back onto the field on defense in the bottom of the sixth, seemingly challenging each other to a postgame fight. Flaherty later revealed that he was angry that Machado threw a baseball into the Dodgers’ dugout.

Machado initially dismissed the accusation, saying he continually throws baseballs into dugouts after pre-inning warmups end. But people at the Dodgers who saw the pitch or watched a video feed of it say it was thrown solidly and bounced before hitting the net located directly in front of where Roberts sits during games, at home plate in the dugout. out. Machado downplayed the throw Sunday night, but also seemed to hint at his intentions when asked if it’s normal for him to throw unnecessary baseballs into an opponent’s dugout.

“Both dugouts,” Machado said. “They got foul balls, you throw the ball back in. I mean, if you try to hit our best hitter. Okay? Get him out. If you can’t get him out, don’t hit him. Right? They I got the best player in the game, right? (Shohei) Ohtani, don’t go out there and try to hit Ohtani. We’re trying to get him out.

“Obviously, I’ve been in a relationship with Manny for years. If it was directed at me, I would be very – it’s pretty disrespectful. So I don’t know his intent. I don’t want to speak for him.” But I saw the video and the ball was pointed at me with something behind it.

Dodgers manager Dave Roberts

Before signing the first of two long-term contracts with the Padres, Machado played for the Dodgers in the long stretch of the 2018 season, coming over from the Baltimore Orioles to replace the injured Corey Seager at shortstop. The Dodgers did not enter discussions with Machado when he became a free agent the following offseason.

When asked if he had any dialogue with Machado before throwing a baseball in his direction, Roberts said, “The only dialogue I had was him chirping at Jack. And I looked at him and shook my head, making it clear that we weren’t going to do that.” I didn’t hit him on purpose to start an inning with a two-run deficit.”

“I think he uses it as fuel,” Roberts added. “As a baseball player, everyone understands that you don’t do that, deliberately put the lead man on base with 3-4-5 behind. It just doesn’t make sense.”

Flaherty struck an apologetic tone Monday, acknowledging that “things had gotten out of hand” between him and Machado, adding, “I wish I had just let it go.”

Machado spoke to reporters before Roberts’ comments and was made unavailable afterward. Through a third party, Machado told The San Diego Union Tribune: “I talked about this last night after the game. I’ve already turned the page and I’m just looking forward to playing in front of our fans tomorrow and preparing for the match.” another tough battle against a very good team.”