After Machado gets Drilled Twice, the Benches Cleared… Again
What started as a spark on Friday night has officially turned into a full-blown fire between the St. Louis Cardinals and the San Diego Padres as the benches cleared again after Manny Machado was drilled a second time in the game, this time by Andre Granillo
For the second straight night, the benches cleared — this time after Manny Machado was plunked twice in Saturday’s 3-1 Padres win. The Cardinals had already drawn heat for Friday’s drama, when Willson Contreras was hit by a pitch, leading to jawing and a benches-clearing incident. But Saturday? It escalated.
Machado, who had already logged two hits in the game, was visibly furious after taking his second hit-by-pitch — both on fastballs — in the ninth inning. He immediately turned to the umpire, unleashing a very NSFW rant, and that was all it took to empty the dugouts again.
“Benches clear in St. Louis after Manny Machado was hit for the second time tonight,” posted Foul Territory, capturing the chaos.
Intentional or Not, It Didn’t Look Good
It’s one thing to hit a guy once — baseball has long allowed for a little tit-for-tat when things get chippy. But twice? That’s not sending a message — that’s pouring gas on it.
Yes, Contreras was hit the night before, and yes, emotions were already running hot. But with the Padres leading in the ninth, and Machado clearly in a groove at the plate, the optics were terrible. Whether intentional or not, the Cardinals looked like they were trying to escalate, not win.
Luckily, Saturday’s incident didn’t go beyond a shouting match. No punches. No ejections. But plenty of bark — and a sense that both clubs are walking a tightrope. Oh, and there was this nice shove by Miles Mikolas on Manny Machado:
Mikolas may not be in his prime anymore, but he doesn’t take anything from anyone.
Frustration Mounts, Logic Missing
Let’s call it what it is: the Cardinals had nothing to gain by letting this spiral. They’re clinging to postseason hopes and can’t afford distractions, let alone emotional outbursts that could lead to suspensions or injuries. This late in a game, and with Manny at the plate? That second HBP was completely unnecessary.
And from the Padres’ side, you can’t blame them — or Machado — for reacting. When your star player gets hit twice, someone’s going to speak up.
Hopefully, Saturday night was the end of it. But after back-to-back nights of tempers flaring, all eyes will be on Sunday’s finale.
Because if the next chapter in this Cardinals-Padres feud turns physical, Major League Baseball might have to step in.
