Tue Aug 26 04:40:00 UTC 2025: ## Ohtani Silences Heckler with Homer as Dodgers Even NL West Race
**SAN DIEGO** – Shohei Ohtani delivered a decisive ninth-inning home run in the Los Angeles Dodgers’ 8-2 victory over the San Diego Padres on Sunday, silencing a persistent heckler who had been dogging the star player throughout the game. The win evened the NL West race with 31 games remaining and showcased the intensity of the burgeoning rivalry between the two teams.
The heckler, positioned near the Dodgers’ dugout, relentlessly taunted Ohtani over his hitless series before the three-time MVP launched a 409-foot homer off Padres pitcher Yuki Matsui. In a rare display of emotion, Ohtani detoured on his way back to the dugout to exchange a high-five and a few words with the now-chagrined fan.
“He was wearing him out the whole game,” Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said. “So it was good to see Shohei initiate a high-five from him. That was great. That was fun. It was good to see Shohei show his personality.”
Ohtani’s homer capped a late-game offensive surge for the Dodgers, highlighted by rookie Dalton Rushing’s tiebreaking three-run shot in the seventh and back-to-back solo home runs from Freddie Freeman in the two innings prior.
“He was just kind of talking to Shohei the whole game, so I’m glad Shohei was able to give him a little something else to cheer about,” Freeman joked.
Despite dropping two of three games in the series, the Dodgers managed to leave San Diego with a split record (74-57) and the season series victory (9-4) over the Padres, giving them a crucial tiebreaker advantage.
While Padres starting pitchers Yu Darvish, Nestor Cortes, and Nick Pivetta dominated the Dodgers’ lineup for 18 innings, the bullpen faltered late in the game. Padres manager Mike Shildt remains optimistic, stating that the team is “playing outstanding baseball” and focused on winning the division.
The NL West title is a key prize for both teams, as the winner avoids the precarious Wild Card playoff series. With the Dodgers having dominated the division in recent years and the Padres seeking their first division title since 2006, the stakes are high.
Despite the regular-season matchups now concluded, players from both teams acknowledge they will be closely watching each other down the stretch. “We’re going to treat the next however many games until the regular season is over like we’re neck-and-neck with them,” Rushing said, adding that the team intends to carry a competitive edge into the postseason.
First Piper 