"There was intent behind it” - Dave Roberts opens up on "unsettling" moment when Manny Machado threw a ball in the dugout directed at him

In an interview after Game 2 of the NLDS between the Los Angeles Dodgers and San Diego Padres, Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said he was unsettled after seeing a video of Manny Machado throwing a ball at the Dodgers dugout.

The video showed that the ball was directed toward Roberts, however, the Dodgers manager said he did not notice it during the game.

"I did see the video and it was unsettling. Obviously I have a relationship with Manny from years past. There was intent behind it. It didn’t almost hit me because there was a net."

While the net prevented the ball from reaching him, Roberts said if the action was intentional, it was disrespectful. His past relationship with Machado in Los Angeles added complexity to the situation, but Roberts stopped short of speculating on the Padres’ captain’s intent.

"I don’t know his intent. I don’t want to speak for him. But I did see the video, and the ball was directed directly at me."

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Machado and Roberts’ incident followed a heated exchange

Tensions were already high in the series, especially after Dodgers pitcher Jack Flaherty hit Fernando Tatis Jr. with a pitch. Following the game, Machado defended his teammate, stating:

"When you try to hit our best hitter, get him out. You can't get him out, don't hit him, right? [...] They got the best player in the game [...] We don't go out there and try to hit Ohtani."

Jack Flaherty, however, said he was not trying to hurt Tatis with the hit-by-pitch and denied any wrongdoing. He also pointed to Machado’s ball-throwing incident as the spark of their heated exchange.

The National League Division Series between the Padres and Dodgers has been dramatic from the start, with Sunday’s confrontation, Machado’s ball-throwing and Los Angeles fans throwing objects onto the field. The series is currently tied at 1-1 and headed to San Diego to resume on Tuesday.