The Los Angeles Dodgers and San Diego Padres nearly engaged in another emotional brawl, but a pitcher who hit a batter apologized, preventing it from escalating into a major fight.
The Dodgers won 4-3 against San Diego at Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles on the 19th, thanks to a walk-off home run by Will Smith in the bottom of the ninth.
The Dodgers and San Diego have been engaged in intense mind games throughout this four-game series in Los Angeles. The incident began during the game on the 17th when Andy Pahes was hit by a 97.7 mph (157.2 km/h) fastball from San Diego starting pitcher Dylan Cease in the bottom of the fourth with one out and runners on first base. Pahes immediately expressed strong emotions and protested, which briefly delayed the game. However, there was no significant bench-clearing incident at that time.
However, the following day, the 18th, problematic scenes emerged during the game. First, in the top of the third, relief pitcher Lou Trivino hit San Diego star hitter Fernando Tatis Jr. with a 95.4 mph (153.5 km/h) sinker. Tatis Jr. walked to first base without much reaction. However, San Diego retaliated in a more definitive manner. In the very next inning, in the bottom of the third with one out, Randy Vasquez hit Dodgers star hitter Shohei Ohtani with a 93.8 mph (151.0 km/h) fastball.
Concerned about escalating tensions, the umpiring crew warned the Dodgers not to throw retaliatory pitches. However, manager Dave Roberts continued to protest that the umpires had warned only the Dodgers, and he was ultimately ejected. Due to this situation, the game could not proceed for a while, and fans at Dodger Stadium booed the umpires and the San Diego players. After Roberts’ ejection, the situation did not escalate into a bench-clearing incident.
On this day, another chilling scene unfolded. In the top of the third with two outs during Manny Machado's at-bat, Dodgers starting pitcher Emmet Sheehan threw a dangerous 95.9 mph (154.3 km/h) fastball aimed at Machado's head. Machado ducked the pitch with a surprised expression. Then, in the bottom of the seventh with no outs and a runner on first, Pahes was hit by a 91 mph (146.5 km/h) fastball from San Diego starting pitcher Steven Kolek. Pahes, who has been hit by pitches throughout this series, displayed strong emotions, but the situation did not escalate significantly as Kolek apologized.
Kolek, who received heavy boos from Dodgers fans after hitting Pahes, said in a post-game interview, “It was not an intentional pitch. It clearly slipped out of my hand. I was aiming for a high inside pitch, and I definitely did not target his head. I am glad that Pahes did not suffer a serious injury.”
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