LOS ANGELES – The rivalry between the Dodgers and the Padres flared up again on Tuesday night at Dodger Stadium, when a series of hit-by-pitches, warnings, and the ejection of manager Dave Roberts marked a tense third inning in Los Angeles’ 8-6 victory.
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Tension erupted when Fernando Tatis Jr. was hit by a fastball from reliever Lou Trivino in the top of the third inning. In the bottom of that same inning, Shohei Ohtani was hit by a pitch in the right leg by Dominican starter Randy Vásquez. It was then that the umpires issued warnings to both teams.
Roberts didn’t take long to show his disagreement from the dugout, apparently demanding Vásquez’s ejection. His complaint escalated to the point of being ejected by third base umpire Tripp Gibson, although Roberts himself admitted later that he hadn’t realized the exact moment of his ejection.
“With Tatis, it wasn’t intentional,” Roberts commented. “But with Ohtani, there was a free base. It’s hard to miss like that with a right-handed pitcher. He hit him after trying once. It was absolutely intentional.”
Dave Roberts has been ejected after both benches were warned following Shohei Ohtani getting hit by a pitch
Fernando Tatis Jr. was also hit by a pitch in the top half of the inning. This all comes after things got chippy when Andy Pages was plunked last night pic.twitter.com/ilVhCmHjNi
According to umpire chief Marvin Hudson, Roberts was ejected for arguing warnings, something that is not allowed. The situation generated even more discomfort in the Dodgers manager upon learning that his counterpart, Mike Shildt, did receive a detailed explanation on the field.
Those involved in the incidents, however, denied any malicious intent. “It was not intentional at all,” assured Vásquez, explaining that he was trying to work Ohtani with inside pitches. Shildt backed up that version, although he acknowledged that the hit to Tatis did not sit well within the team.
The night before, Cuban Andy Pagés had been hit on the elbow protector by Dylan Cease, already sparking suspicions of intentionality. Pagés responded with two home runs in Tuesday’s game, being key in the Los Angeles victory that extends their lead to five games over San Diego in the National League West.
The tension continued in the seventh inning, when José Iglesias was hit on the left hand by a pitch from Matt Sauer. Although there were protests, no ejection occurred. Hudson explained that in that case they did not perceive intent, an opinion that Shildt partly shared.
“Emotions were running high, but I didn’t see any bad intentions there,” commented the Padres’ manager. “Sometimes, the pitches just get away.”
