In the span of the last 10 days, the Los Angeles Dodgers have faced the San Diego Padres seven times. Three consecutive games saw multiple stars hit in the Dodgers-Padres series in Los Angeles. Yes, the warnings were issued but the tempers from both ends knew no bounds. Dodgers’ star Shohei Ohtani and Padres’ Dominican right fielder Fernando Tatis Jr. were among those plunked in consecutive games.
However, by Thursday night’s finale, around the last inning, the Dodgers-Padres rivalry reached a new level. To refrain from any more heat, Ohtani sacrificed for peace. It all stemmed from when Fernando Tatis Jr. was hit AGAIN! This time, by Dodgers’ reliever Jack Little in the ninth inning. This instance marked the third time Tatis was drilled by a Dodger this season. Padres skipper Mike Shildt instantly charged out of the dugout. In the span of a few seconds, both the benches were seen emptied.
As a matter of retaliation, Ohtani was again hit by a pitch by Padres’ reliever Robert Suarez. In the last game, when Ohtani was drilled, manager Dave Roberts was infuriated enough that it led to his ejection.
Benches clear in the 9th inning of the Padres-Dodgers game in Los Angeles. pic.twitter.com/ugfVSFmqtS
— MLB (@MLB) June 20, 2025
Soon enough, Suarez was ejected then and there. Moments before, as soon as Ohtani was hit, his teammates from the dugout were ready to flood the field in response. Ohtani being Ohtani, he waved them immediately to stay in the dugout and calmed them by signaling that he’s okay.
In the heat of the moment, Dodgers’ skipper Dave Roberts, infuriated at Shildt, yelled at him from across the diamond, “I’m gonna beat your a—.” Yes, on Live TV, Roberts’ threat was caught. Further, Shildt didn’t hold back either. Just as furious, he was visibly ready to fight Roberts himself.
All the coaches, players, and crew were on the field and the hostility was at its peak.
The game continued further. The Padres secured the 5-3 win this time. However, the game barely made it to the spotlight; it was the Padres-Dodgers rivalry that grabbed the attention. Even more than that, Ohtani’s calm demeanor didn’t go unnoticed in and beyond the league.
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