Braves outfielder Justin Upton on Tuesday downplayed his role in a controversial play from Monday night.
Upton hit a ground ball to Marlins second baseman Jordany Valdespin with one out in the bottom of the eighth and failed to sprint down the line. Valdespin bobbled the ball but still easily threw out Upton. The play received scattered boos from some of the 26,766 fans in that stands at Turner Field.
“I hit a ground ball to second base and then ran to first base,” Upton said. “Just another play in the game.”
After the Braves’ 3-1 loss in 10 innings, manager Fredi Gonzalez said he didn’t think Upton had a chance to safely beat out Valdespin’s throw but that he should have run out the play.
“That’s not the way we play the game,” Gonzalez said. “I’m going to mention something to him about that.”
Asked before Tuesday’s game if he had spoken with Gonzalez, Upton said, “That’s between me and my manager.”