The Los Angeles Dodgers find themselves on the brink of elimination after a 6-5 loss to the San Diego Padres in Game 3 of the National League Division Series.
The Padres scored all six of their runs in a second inning that was filled with defensive miscues. Manny Machado led off the frame with a single and later came around to score after a controversial play on the basepaths.
Freddie Freeman made a diving stop to his right and attempted to throw Machado out at second base. However, the ball struck the All-Star third baseman after it appeared that he ran out of the baseline to disrupt the potential double play.
Rule 5.09(B)(1) states that “a runner’s base path is established when the tag attempt occurs and is a straight line from the runner to the base he is attempting to reach safely.”
Thus, Machado technically did not do anything wrong even if the replay suggests otherwise.
“You can’t appeal it,” Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said after the game.
“And the thing is from my vantage point, it’s not a replayable challenge play. Manny, you can create your own basepath if you’re not avoiding a tag. It was a heady play.”
Padres manager Mike Shildt similarly praised Machado for making a smart baseball play.
“I understand it pretty clearly. It’s a teach of ours, it’s a teach in the game. We don’t corner the market on this thing. Really good baseball play by Manny,” Shildt said.
“Basically the baserunner can create his own baseline until there’s an actual attempted play on him. So at that point you can run inside the line just like he did and force a throw to be like it is. You can do it from any base. As soon as the fielder has to make an attempt to a play, now the baseline has been established and you can go from there.”
Freeman, who was on the wrong end of the play, said Machado did what every player is taught as baserunners. “I’ve looked at it many, many times and replayed it in my head many, many times. I would’ve done the same thing,” Freeman began.
“We’re taught as baserunners to banana it, but usually you’re supposed to do it after one or two steps in the dirt. But I would’ve done the same thing. I’m really far on the grass and he got really far on the grass. I can certainly say I wouldn’t do anything different at first.
“I thought I made a perfect throw, and just clipped his left shoulder. He banana it enough to get into the line. That’s what we’re taught as baserunners, is to get into the line. He did it there.”
Fernando Tatis Jr.: Manny Machado has high IQ
Fernando Tatis Jr., who capped off the Padres’ big second inning with a two-run homer, said Machado’s savvy baserunning shows why he is one of the smartest players in baseball.
“That’s highest IQ in baseball. When you see plays like that and you know right away know what you need to do, especially in games like that, that’s why Manny’s Manny,” Tatis explained.
“This rally wouldn’t have started probably if he hadn’t made that play. That’s how huge and how big that was for us. Just like I mentioned, Manny has one of the best IQs in the game, and we put it all in play together at the right moment.”
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