In the last 10 days, the Los Angeles Dodgers have faced the San Diego Padres seven times. Three consecutive games saw multiple stars hit in the Dodgers-Padres series in Los Angeles. Yes, the warnings were issued, but the tempers from both ends knew no bounds. Dodgers’ star Shohei Ohtani and Padres’ Dominican right fielder Fernando Tatis Jr. were among those plunked in consecutive games.

However, by Thursday night’s finale, around the last inning, the Dodgers-Padres rivalry reached a new level. To refrain from any more heat, Ohtani sacrificed for peace. It all stemmed from when Fernando Tatis Jr. was hit AGAIN! This time, by Dodgers’ reliever Jack Little in the ninth inning. This was the third time Tatis was drilled by a Dodger this season. Padres skipper Mike Shildt instantly charged out of the dugout. In just a few seconds, both benches were empty.

As a matter of retaliation, Ohtani was again hit by a pitch by Padres’ reliever Robert Suarez. In the last game, when Ohtani was drilled, manager Dave Roberts was infuriated enough that it led to his ejection.

⁣

Soon enough, Suarez was ejected then and there. Moments before, as soon as Ohtani was hit, his teammates from the dugout were ready to flood the field in response. Ohtani, being Ohtani, waved them immediately to stay in the dugout and calmed them by signaling that he’s okay.

In the heat of the moment, Dodgers’ skipper Dave Roberts, infuriated at Shildt, yelled at him from across the diamond. “I’m gonna beat your a—.” Roberts threatened on Live TV. Further, Shildt didn’t hold back either. Just as furious, he was visibly ready to fight Roberts himself.

All the coaches, players, and crew were on the field, and the hostility was at its peak.

But the game continued. The Padres secured a 5-3 win this time. However, the game barely made it to the spotlight; it was the Padres-Dodgers rivalry that grabbed the attention. And more than that, Ohtani’s calm demeanor didn’t go unnoticed either in and beyond the league.

MLB’s new fiercest Dodgers-Padres rivalry escalated

For the record, it was Fernando Tatis Jr.’s sixth time across 67 games when he was hit by a Dodgers pitcher. Rightfully addressed by a Dodgers’ coach, this Padres-Dodgers bad blood rivalry now looks like one of the biggest rivalries in MLB history.

Tatis departed from the game early and was replaced by pinch runner Trenton Brooks. After the game, Tatis opened up to the media, saying he was feeling “not good” despite negative X-ray results. Consequently, an MRI and a CT scan are scheduled for Friday.

Meanwhile, the reaction of both managers was simply the opposite of Ohtani’s. Shildt, furiously, said, “Enough is enough.” He added, “Intentional or unintentional, the fact of the matter is I took exception with it.” Apparently, here he was complaining about the numerous times Tatis was hit by a Dodger.

Robert’s stance was clear. To him, Tatis getting hit was somehow “the last thing” he wanted. However, he didn’t like Shildt’s reaction. “I felt that he was trying to make it personal with me. Which then, I take it personal.”

Throughout the game, right after the benching brawl, things started to get uglier. And nothing seemed accidental this time.