There seemingly has been no shortage of tension between the Arizona Diamondbacks and Los Angeles Dodgers since the 2013 season saw a benches-clearing brawl and famed National League West celebration that spilled into the pool at Chase Field.
While some believed the Diamondbacks would unseat the Dodgers as division champions this season, they were eliminated from postseason contention last weekend. Arizona nonetheless is in position to play spoiler, and they took a step toward doing so Tuesday night by snapping a four-game losing-streak.
Relief pitcher Yoan Lopez played at the time what was key role by stranding Manny Machado’s leadoff double in the eighth inning. It preserved the Diamondbacks’ 3-2 lead that was eventually squandered by Brad Boxberger in the ninth but later led to Eduardo Escobar’s walk-off home run.
After striking out pinch-hitter Alex Verdugo to end the eighth, Lopez turned to Machado and threw his arms up to make the same celebratory gesture the shortstop did upon arriving at second base.
Lopez explained it wasn’t meant as any sort of disrespect but rather an emotional reaction, according to Nick Piecoro of the Arizona Republic:
“It was a situation where I was excited,” Lopez said. “I respect Machado. I respect what he’s all about. He was excited. I was excited. Just like he raised his arm when he hit the double, I raised mine when I had the strikeout. Again, I respect him a lot.”
Machado stared in Lopez’s direction as the right-hander walked off the field but the incident appeared to end at that point.
The Dodgers and Diamondbacks meet for the final time this season on Wednesday, and considering what is at stake in the NL West, there’s little reason to believe Machado or any of his teammates would seek any sort of retribution that could lead to punishment.
