Eduardo Escobar and Brian Dozier had dinner together, even after Escobar took Dozier deep

When you're part of a double-play tandem for quite awhile, you're inextricably linked forever. Think of Jimmy Rollins and Chase Utley or Alan Trammell and Lou Whitaker. That's a bond that's hard to break.

Eduardo Escobar and Brian Dozier shared that connection in the Twins infield for parts of seven seasons, from 2012-18. When the Nationals came to town for a series against the D-backs, though, they found themselves on opposite sides of the field.

For position players, that doesn't normally lead to direct confrontations, but late in the game on Saturday night, the Nationals put Dozier on the mound to eat up an inning of the 18-7 loss to Arizona. As luck would have it, Dozier got to face Escobar, and they couldn't stop smiling as they squared off ... even while Escobar went yard against his old pal:

Dozier took it all in stride, laughing in the aftermath. "Freaking Escobar," he said. "If I had to give up one, it would be to Esky."

The best part of it all is that Dozier was actually planning on going over to Escobar's house after the game to have dinner together. Giving up a dinger sounds like an awfully nice housewarming present.

"I’m sure he’s not going to let it down," Dozier joked about the homer.

Definitely not. Dozier will be hearing from Escobar about that dinger until they're old and grey.

After all, that's what friends are for.