Shohei Ohtani sustained a blow to his right shoulder blade from a 100 mph fastball during a heated ninth inning on Thursday night as the Los Angeles Dodgers faced the San Diego Padres, marking another intense chapter in their rivalry. This incident was part of a series in which tensions flared significantly, resulting in a total of eight batters being hit throughout the matchup at Dodger Stadium.
As Ohtani made his way to first base, he signaled to his teammates to stay calm amid the chaos, indicating his desire to avoid further escalation. The atmosphere in the stadium had already become charged, particularly after Fernando Tatis Jr. was hit by a 93 mph pitch earlier in the game, leading to confrontations between the two teams. This marked the fifth time the Dodgers had hit Tatis since the start of the 2024 season.
Tempers flared further when both Padres manager Mike Shildt and Dodgers skipper Dave Roberts exchanged heated words on the field—resulting in ejections for two managers and several coaches after order was almost lost in the dugouts and bullpens.
In the aftermath of the game, which the Padres won 5-3, Manny Machado expressed concern for Tatis, urging the Dodgers to “pray” that Tatis’s injury was not serious. Initial X-rays on Tatis were inconclusive, and a CT scan was planned for further evaluation. Tatis appeared dejected post-game, wearing a bandage on his hand and responding negatively when asked about his condition.
This ongoing rivalry, which included five closely contested games during last fall’s National League Division Series, has surged once again. Recent encounters have seen the teams play each other frequently, ramping up intensity with each match. Notably, Dodgers outfielder Andy Pages had also been hit earlier in the series, contributing to the fiery atmosphere.
Roberts defended his rookie pitcher Jack Little, asserting that any hit pitch was unintentional. In contrast, he suggested that the Padres had intentionally targeted Ohtani, particularly given the circumstances of the game. The Dodgers currently hold a significant lead in the NL West, ahead of the second-placed San Francisco Giants, while the Padres are lagging five games behind.
As the two teams look towards future games, both sides are bracing for more dramatic encounters, with Shildt indicating that the Dodgers will be on their radar in two months, signaling that this rivalry is far from over.
This series has seen clear tensions but also the potential for growth and resilience from both teams as they continue to face off this season. The Padres and Dodgers must navigate both the heat of competition and the responsibility that comes with the physicality of the game.