Sat Jun 21 04:00:00 UTC 2025: **Dodgers-Padres Rivalry Boils Over: Managers Suspended After Benches-Clearing Brawl**
**LOS ANGELES, CA -** Tensions between the Los Angeles Dodgers and San Diego Padres reached a boiling point on Thursday, resulting in suspensions for both managers and a Padres pitcher, MLB announced Friday. The disciplinary actions stem from a benches-clearing incident in the series finale, fueled by a series of hit batters and simmering animosity.
The four-game series saw a total of eight hit batters, culminating in a ninth-inning incident when Dodgers pitcher Jack Little hit Padres star Fernando Tatis Jr. in the hand. Padres manager Mike Shildt rushed the field to check on his player and confront Dodgers manager Dave Roberts, who met him near home plate. Benches then cleared. Shildt and Roberts were ejected and later suspended one game each for “unsportsmanlike conduct and contributing to inciting the benches-clearing incident.”
Later in the same inning, Padres pitcher Robert Suarez hit Shohei Ohtani in the shoulder. As benches nearly cleared a second time, Ohtani waved off his teammates in an effort to calm things down. Suarez received a three-game suspension for “intentionally hitting” Ohtani, a decision he is appealing.
The Padres won the game 5-3, but the bad blood was evident. Shildt expressed doubt that the hit-by-pitch was unintentional, stating, “Whether it was or it wasn’t, enough is enough.” Roberts downplayed accusations of intentional targeting while wishing Tatis well.
Adding to the drama, Padres third baseman Manny Machado issued a stern warning to the Dodgers, suggesting they “set a little candle up for Tatis” and hope his X-rays came back negative. Fortunately for the Padres, Shildt confirmed Tatis would be in the lineup Friday after imaging came back clear.
Both Roberts and Shildt began their suspensions on Friday. The Dodgers host the Washington Nationals, and the Padres host the Kansas City Royals. The NL West rivals are scheduled to meet again in mid-August at Dodger Stadium.
© 2025 Cable News Network. A Warner Bros. Discovery Company. All Rights Reserved. CNN Sans ™ & © 2016 Cable News Network.
First Piper 