The ongoing Dodgers-Padres series was supposed to be one of the most anticipated of the season, with Shohei Ohtani finally taking the mound after years of waiting. But what we saw was that the second game quickly spiraled into chaos for all the wrong reasons. So, what unfolded at the ballpark wasn’t a showcase of elite talent. A barrage of hit-by-pitches marred the contest, with both teams exchanging blows, whether intentional or not.
In a game already charged with emotion, the Dodgers’ superstar Ohtani stepped up to the plate, only to be struck by a pitch on the right leg near the knee that sent a jolt through the crowd. Furious at what he believed was a deliberate act, Roberts vented his frustration in a fiery exchange with the umpires. However, it did no good as the skipper ended up being ejected from the game, leaving the crowd buzzing and the rivalry burning even hotter.
As you might expect, tensions ran high, emotions spilled over, and the fallout was immediate. Though Roberts’ fury may not have changed the outcome, he certainly had his reasons to voice his frustration. “If you’re gonna do it, own it… I didn’t feel a warning on both sides was warranted. I wanted an explanation of their thought process,” Roberts said during the post-game presser.
Dave Roberts explains why he got so mad when the Padres hit Shohei Ohtani and what led to his ejection:
“If you’re gonna do it, own it… I didn’t feel a warning on both sides was warranted. I wanted an explanation of their thought process.” pic.twitter.com/VkliZbafDi
— Dodgers Nation (@DodgersNation) June 18, 2025
So, right after Ohtani got plunked by Randy Vasquez in the third inning, Roberts came charging out of the Dodgers’ dugout. If you have checked the game, he wasn’t happy at all. He went straight to crew chief Marvin Hudson near the third base line, clearly upset that his team had been hit and then warned. As the exchange got more heated, Roberts started waving his arms, making his frustration loud and clear. That’s when third base umpire Tripp Gibson stepped in and tossed Roberts.
But guess what? The drama is not over yet.
Later, Padres manager Mike Shildt came out to have a chat with Hudson and home plate umpire Ryan Blakney. It was the same kind of situation: heated words, but this time, no ejection. None. And that had plenty of folks wondering why the treatment was so different. “To see Mike get the opportunity to talk to umpires after I was tossed and got their explanation, and he was still in the game. I think what anyone wants is consistency, right?” Roberts added.
Well, amidst all this drama, Ohtani, just like always, stayed cool as ice. Just after getting HBP, he was seen sharing a lighthearted moment with Padres first baseman Luis Arraez. Ohtani also shared the moment he got hit on his Instagram story. Was he chilling in the moment, or asking for ownership?
The game eventually went in the Dodgers’ way, with an 8-6 win. While Ohtani was not on the mound in the second game, the heroics of Will Smith and Andy Pages secured the center stage.
Shohei Ohtani on a record-breaking spree again
You might argue that Ohtani is not hitting like last year, and it’s unlikely he will steal 50 bases again this year. But his offense? That is still elite level and undisputed. Well, Ohtani has crossed the plate 73 times in the Dodgers’ first 72 games. Guess what? If he keeps this up, he’s on track to make some serious history. For the uninitiated, he’s currently on pace for 164 runs this season, which would be the most by any National League player in the modern era.
To put that in perspective, only two players have scored that many runs in a single season since 1900: Babe Ruth (177 in 1921) and Lou Gehrig (167 in 1936). And yes, both are from the American League, and both are in the Hall of Fame. So, Ohtani is the flagbearer for the NL in the modern era and a future HOF!
Shohei Ohtani looks back to towards first base after the final out in the first inning during his pitching debut for the Los Angeles Dodgers against the San Diego Padres at Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles on Monday, June 16, 2025. Ohtani s pitching outing was brief, lasting just one inning, tossing 28 pitches, giving up one run on two hits a pair of flare singles from Fernando Tatis Jr. and Luis Arraez and a sacrifice fly from Manny Machado. PUBLICATIONxINxGERxSUIxAUTxHUNxONLY LAP2025061618 JIMxRUYMEN
Along with piling up runs and home runs, Ohtani is dominating just about every major offensive category in the NL. As of Monday, he’s leading in slugging percentage (.643). If you look at OPS, you will see Ohtani leading again (1.039). And if you’re thinking his return to the mound might slow him down at the plate, think again.
Back in 2023 with the Angels, Ohtani juggled pitching and hitting all season and still put up a ridiculous 1.066 OPS. Hence, the two-way grind didn’t hurt him then, and there’s no sign it will now either. Now that Ohtani has started pitching again this year, perhaps an even better season than 2023 is coming. Hopefully, he won’t get HBP as often anymore.
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