The Los Angeles Dodgers got screwed Tuesday on a baserunning play by Manny Machado in the second inning of Game 3 of the NLDS between the Dodgers and San Diego Padres at Petco Park in San Diego, Calif.
The Dodgers were leading 1-0 in the game thanks to a home run from Mookie Betts in the top of the first inning. Then in the bottom of the second, Machado led off with a single. Jackson Merrill followed with a hard hit grounder to first for a fielder’s choice. Freddie Freeman fielded the ball and tried to throw to second for the force out, but Freeman’s throw went off Machado and bounced into left field, allowing Machado to reach third base.
Manny Machado advances to third on a throwing error by Freddie Freeman pic.twitter.com/FEOpgsUIvm
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David Peralta followed with a two-run double, Kyle Higashioka added another run with a sacrifice fly, and then Fernando Tatis Jr. delivered a 2-run home run to put the Padres up 6-1.
It was a heads up play by Machado, who took advantage of some loose rules that should be altered.
The rules say that a runner establishes his own path, which means just by running onto the grass doesn’t mean Machado was out of the basepath. A runner would be out if they intentionally interfere with a throw. The issue is since Machado wasn’t facing the throw, an umpire couldn’t 100 percent establish intent, even though Machado clearly moved into the way of the fielder at second base.
The result is Machado was not only not declared out, but he was able to advance an extra base while Freeman was charged with an error.
MLB should make an adjustment to its rules to account for plays like that.
