Dodgers' Utley had 'no intent' to hurt Tejada on takeout slide

Veteran second baseman Chase Utley insisted, after fracturing Ruben Tejada's right fibula with a controversial slide late in Saturday's NLDS clash at Dodger Stadium, that he didn't mean to injure the 25-year-old shortstop.

"There was no intent to hurt Ruben whatsoever," said Utley, who stroked a pinch-hit single and eventually scored in the pivotal seventh inning of the Los Angeles Dodgers' 5-2 victory over the New York Mets.

"It was one of those awkward plays, first and third, tying run is on third base," said Utley. "I'm running hard to try to break up the double play. Any time you have an opportunity to try break up a double play, you should do your best to do that. Again, it was one of those awkward, awkward plays."

Related: Mets' Tejada fractures right fibula in collision with Utley

Utley's antics keyed a seventh-inning outburst by the Dodgers, who evened the best-of-five series at one game apiece, but the slide drew scorn on social media as well as the ire of Tejada's teammates.

"I didn't realize his back was turned," added Utley. "Obviously, it happened fast."

After the game, Utley sent an apology letter to Tejada though an unnamed Mets player - presumably third baseman David Wright - as Ken Rosenthal of Fox Sports tweeted on Sunday.

Utley's slide also got the attention of Joe Torre, the league's chief baseball officer, who noted he would review the play again to determine if any discipline is warranted for the 36-year-old.