Brett Lawrie's Hard Slide Injured Alcides Escobar, Cleared Benches at Kauffman Stadium

Brett Lawrie wiped out Royals shortstop Alcides Escobar trying to break out a double-play during Friday night’s game in Kansas City. The dirty-looking slide caused both benches to clear, but it wasn’t a fight, brawl or donnybrook by any means. Escobar needed to be carried off the field with the help of trainers, but is reportedly day-to-day with a knee sprain.

Afterward, as is usually the case, the players didn’t exactly fan the flames with their words to the media. From the KC Star’s Sam Mellinger, Eric Hosmer and Royals manager Ned Yost both didn’t think it was intentional.

Said Lawrie:

"“I would never try to cleat anybody,” Lawrie says. “That’s totally not it. I wish him all the best and there was zero intention of ever wanting to hurt him. Even the thought of that would never even cross my mind. I’m sure I’ll reach out to him.”"

That might be true, but it was also a really late slide and more importantly reckless, even without the intent to injure.

Whether or not this incident evolves into open hostilities between the two clubs likely will be determined during Lawrie’s at bat’s tonight at Kauffman Stadium. Will the Royals shrug it off or will they deliver a “message” to Lawrie.