The duel between the Dodgers and the Padres became more than just a divisional matchup when the game was marked by a series of pitches that raised tension on the diamond. First, Fernando Tatis Jr. was hit by a 95.4 mph fastball, which set off alarm bells. But what seemed like an isolated incident took on a different tone when, in the third inning, Shohei Ohtani was hit with a 93.8 mph fastball while the score favored San Diego 3-2.
The situation was already tense: the night before, Andy Pages had also been hit by a pitch, which added fuel to the fire. With tempers already frayed, the home plate umpire decided to issue warnings to both benches to prevent the tension from getting out of hand.
Dave Roberts’ reaction: an inevitable expulsion
Dodgers manager Dave Roberts was quick to voice his outrage. After Ohtani was hit by the pitch, Roberts erupted in protest, vehemently arguing that it was a deliberate action by the Padres. The manager’s reaction was so intense that he ended up being ejected from the game, in what was his first ejection of the season.
Roberts’ anger was not only because of the blow to his star player, but also because of what he considers to be a lack of judgment on the part of the refereeing team. For him, the warnings issued did not adequately reflect the seriousness of the moment, especially considering the recent history.
Hostile climate: is a hotter rivalry on the horizon?
The exchange of pitches between the two teams has reignited a rivalry that, while already intense, now adds a chapter full of tension. The fact that the pitches were directed at key figures such as Tatis Jr. and Ohtani has raised suspicions about possible undeclared retaliation between the two teams.
Although there were no physical confrontations or bench-clearing, the situation was serious enough to make it clear that the atmosphere is tense. MLB could intervene if it determines there was intent in any of the pitches.
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