Padres manager stands by Manny Machado after Game 2 incident

San Diego Padres manager Mike Shildt is standing firmly behind his star player, Manny Machado.

Machado was embroiled in controversy following Game 2 of the National League Division Series between the Padres and the Los Angeles Dodgers at Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles, Calif.

During the sixth inning of the contest, Machado threw a ball toward the Dodgers dugout.

Dodgers manager Dave Roberts later told reporters that he believed Machado’s throw was directed at him and called the stunt “disrespectful.” You can read Roberts’ full comments here about Machado.

On Tuesday, Shildt was asked about the incident ahead of Game 3 of the Dodgers-Padres series. The 2019 NL Manager of the Year dispelled the notion that Machado intentionally tried to hit Roberts. He also suggested that given Machado’s cannon for an arm, an intentional throw at Roberts would have looked a lot worse than it did.

“No, I don’t think there was any intent at all with that,” said Shildt. “Manny has got exceptional arm talent. I think he proved that on the triple play.”