MLB Suspends Dodgers' Utley For 2 Games After Game 2 Slide
NEW YORK (CBSLA.com) — Los Angeles Dodgers infielder Chase Utley has been suspended by MLB for two games following a controversial play in Game Two of the NLDS.
The announcement was made around 6:15 p.m. on Sunday.
Utley performed a takeout slide in Game 2 that resulted in New York Mets infielder Ruben Tejada's leg being broken on Saturday. The Dodgers won the game 5-2 to even the series at one win apiece.
Utley was the target of much backlash on social media after the game, and came out to deny any "malicious" intent, reaching out to Tejada later after the event.
Utley, it was revealed, will appeal the decision. Many Dodger supporters took to social media following the announcement to point out a similar play by Matt Holliday in the 2012 NLCS, in which no disciplinary action was taken against Holliday.
The Mets released a statement on Sunday evening supporting the decision by MLB: ""The New York Mets completely support the decision made by Major League Baseball to suspend Chase Utley for two games and feel this was the appropriate course of action. With this decision behind us, the team and our fans can now focus on playing winning baseball."
The Dodgers likewise released a position statement later on Sunday night, stating that they stand behind Utley's decision to appeal the suspension.
