Despite a late rally by the San Diego Padres, the Los Angeles Dodgers prevailed to earn a hard-fought 6-5 victory in Game 2 of the National League Division Series at Globe Life Field.
Similar to their meetings during the regular season, the second playoff contest between the teams certainly didn’t lack in drama and intensity.
In a game filled with many highlights, the most exciting moment occurred during the top of the seventh inning when Cody Bellinger robbed Fernando Tatis Jr. of what would’ve been a go-ahead two-out, two-run homer.
The incredible catch sparked his Dodgers teammates, including Brusdar Graterol, who threw both his cap and glove on the ground in joy. It drew the ire of Manny Machado, who shouted expletives toward Graterol and the Dodgers dugout.
After the game, Mookie Betts explained to Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports that L.A. was justified to celebrate Bellinger’s home run robbery, citing similar emotion Machado showed earlier in the game:
“I just feel like when he hit his home run, he threw the bat, this, that and the other. Then we take one away, we can celebrate too. There’s got to be two sides to it. That’s just what I was saying (by waving the Padres off the field).”
Despite throwing expletives in the direction of the Dodgers, nothing more escalated between Machado and his former club. He led off the top of the eighth against Graterol and grounded out without any further incident.
Bellinger, Roberts defend Graterol
Dodgers manager Dave Roberts came to the defense of Graterol after the game. “Obviously it was a big play,” he said.
“We all know that Brusdar is very emotional, and he just kind of was caught up in the moment and was really celebrating Cody’s play. I think Manny took exception to it, but that was it. I think it’s over.”
Bellinger also backed Graterol, saying, “I honestly don’t know what happened. “I don’t know what Brusdar Graterol did, but it’s a big play in a postseason game. I got Graterol’s back.”
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