LOS ANGELES – Former Philadelphia Phillies second baseman Chase Utley has responded in regard to criticism for his controversial play Saturday evening in game two of the National League Division Series at Dodger Stadium.
#Dodgers’ Utley sent an apology to Tejada last night through a player on the #Mets that he knows well. Intent was not to injure.
— Ken Rosenthal (@Ken_Rosenthal) October 11, 2015
In an attempt to break up a double play in the bottom of the seventh inning, Utley slid into and subsequently injured the leg of New York Mets' shortstop Ruben Tejada. Further X-rays revealed that Tejada suffered a fractured right fibula, which will sideline him for the rest of the postseason.
"I slid in hard like I have for 12 years," Utley told through text message to FOX Sports' Ken Rosenthal. "I feel terrible about the outcome. I've reached out to Ruben via David Wright.”
"In no way shape or form was I trying to hurt Ruben," Utley continued. "Any time there's a double play you should do your best to break it up."
The series between the Los Angeles Dodgers and Mets will resume Monday evening, 8:37 p.m. EST, at Citi Field.
Wilmer Flores, who batted .263/.295/.408 with 16 home runs and 59 runs-batted-in this season over 137 games, will take over for Tejada.
Matt Rappa (@mattrappasports) is managing editor of Philliedelphia.com.
