The Los Angeles Dodgers dropped the series finale against the San Diego Padres on Thursday, but still came away with three wins and a comfortable lead in the standings over their National League West foe.
The Padres were in command for most of the game until things got interesting late in more ways than one. Faced with a five-run deficit heading into the bottom of the ninth inning, the Dodgers scored three runs and managed to bring the go-ahead run to the plate.
But before that, tensions finally reached a breaking point after two intense head-to-head meetings this season in addition to recent history between the sides.
Jack Little, making his MLB debut and having already allowed two runs in the eighth inning, hit Fernando Tatis Jr. on the right wrist to set off the bench-clearing incident.
At the center of the exchange were Dodgers Manager Dave Roberts and Padres manager Mike Shildt, with the pair getting into a shouting match.
Shildt, Roberts and Padres bench coach Brian Esposito were all ejected before play resumed.
Roberts had previously been ejected from Wednesday’s contest for arguing the warnings that were issued by the umpires, according to crew chief Marvin Hudson.
Dodgers manager Dave Roberts responds to MLB suspension
For their part in what transpired, both managers received one-game suspensions that were served Friday night.
“I support it. I think that, obviously, I never want to make the game about the managers. It shouldn’t be,” Roberts said. “It should be about the players and winning.
“And so last night, both managers were protecting their teams. And it just unfortunately got to a point that we became the focus, and that’s not the way it should be. So, yeah, just a game suspension for both of us, and it starts tonight.
“I think Mike Hill and Major League Baseball made the right decision. So it’s something I’ll certainly have to be mindful of going forward.”
Padres closer Robert Suarez was suspended three games for retaliating against Shohei Ohtani in the bottom ninth inning, but appealed the ruling.
Roberts, Shildt and Suarez were also each fined an undisclosed amount.
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