The Los Angeles Dodgers continued their homestand with a 6-3 win over the San Diego Padres behind a big fourth inning that was notable for a staredown between Andy Pages and Dylan Cease.
After Max Muncy’s two-run single gave the Dodgers their first lead of the game, Pages was hit on the left arm by a 97.7 mph fastball, prompting him to immediately look and gesture in Cease’s direction.
The incident nearly caused both benches to clear, but nothing more came of it and play resumed shortly after. Pages eventually came around to score as part of the Dodgers’ five-run inning.
After the game, Pages explained that he thought the hit by pitch was intentional due to the Padres believing he relayed signs at second base after doubling in the third inning, via Fabian Ardaya of The Athletic:
“They thought I was relaying signs when I was jumping at second base, I think,” Pages said in Spanish. “It’s impossible that he can’t miss a slider on the corner and he missed a fastball a strike zone inside.”
Pages went on to admit that he overreacted and said he tried explaining that to Cease:
“I don’t think it was the right way to react. But like I told him, there are things you don’t really see sometimes. I told him I reacted on adrenaline.”
Cease had been in cruise control prior to the fourth inning, so it’s understandable why Pages might have initially thought the hit by pitch was on purpose.
However, the Padres were only down one run at that point, so it would not have made sense for Cease to voluntarily put another man on base, especially with the top of the Dodgers lineup coming up.
Pages was likely just frustrated that he got on the arm with an upper-90s fastball, and fortunately, both teams seem to have quickly moved on.
Did Dylan Cease intentionally hit Andy Pages?
Although Pages felt Cease’s hit by pitch was intentional, Dodgers manager Dave Roberts wasn’t as convinced.
“I don’t think it was intentional. It just never feels good to get hit on the arm by 100,” Roberts said. “So I think Andy was just more frustrated. I don’t think there was intent behind it. It got diffused quickly.”
Have you subscribed to the Dodger Blue YouTube channel? Be sure to ring the notification bell to watch player interviews, participate in shows and giveaways, and stay up to date on all Dodgers news and rumors!
