World Series 2018: Was Dodgers’ Manny Machado spiking Red Sox’s Steve Pearce in Game 4 a dirty play?

Game 5 of the 2018 World Series between the Los Angeles Dodgers and Boston Red Sox is Sunday, October 28, 2018 (10/28/18) at Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles, Calif. The Red Sox won Game 4, 9-6, and are one win away from their first championship since 2013 and their ninth overall in franchise history.

Los Angeles Dodgers shortstop Manny Machado denies intentionally spiking Boston Red Sox first baseman in Game 4 of the World Series on Saturday at Dodger Stadium.

Per USA TODAY:

While trying to beat out an infield grounder during the Dodgers’ ill-fated comeback attempt in the ninth inning, Machado’s left foot clipped the back of Pearce’s right one.

…

But after the game, Machado insisted the contact was accidental. He and Pearce played together in Baltimore, and Machado said they’re “kind of, almost best friends.”

“He was at my wedding; his daughter was my flower girl,” Machado said. “It’s late in the year; our legs are giving out on us, and you’re just trying to get to first base as fast as possible. Sometimes, it just happens.”

Pearce did not appear to react in any way to the contact. Before the World Series started, he called Machado “misunderstood” and said he was “the best person I know in this game.”

Yankees prospect report

This has been a controversy-filled postseason for Machado, who will be a free agent after the World Series.

In the fourth inning of Game 2 of the National League Championship Series against the Milwaukee Brewers, Machado didn’t hustle down the line in a groundout to shortstop, then told The Athletic’s Ken Rosenthal, “I’m not the type of player that’s going to be ‘Johnny Hustle,’ and run down the line and slide to first base and … you know, whatever can happen. That’s just not my personality, that’s not my cup of tea, that’s not who I am.”

In the 10th inning of Game 4 of the NLCS, Machado caught the back leg of Brewers first baseman Jesus Aguilar while running out a ground ball. That prompted Brewers outfielder Christian Yelich to say, “It was a dirty play by a dirty player.” MLB fined Machado an undisclosed amount.

Following Game 2 of the World Series at Fenway Park in Boston, Bleacher Report posted a story which said Machado was caught trying to steal signs.

In Game 3 of the World Series on Friday, Machado dogged it out of the batter’s box on a drive to left field, thinking he had a home run. But the ball hit the outfield wall and Machado was held to a single.

Machado and the Dodgers will try to avoid elimination from the World Series in Game 5 on Sunday night.

Mike Rosenstein may be reached at [email protected]. Follow him on Twitter @rosenstein73. Find NJ.com on Facebook.