On Tuesday night, Dave Roberts was ejected after only three steps from the dugout. Tensions boiled out in the bottom of the third inning on a heated night that saw two superstars hit by pitches, both dugouts get umpire warnings, and the Los Angeles Dodgers defeat the San Diego Padres 8–6 at Dodger Stadium.
Reigning National League MVP Shohei Ohtani was hit in the leg with one out in the bottom half of the inning after Padres star Fernando Tatis Jr. was hit by a pitch in the top of the third inning by Dodgers reliever Lou Trivino (for the second time in two weeks).
Dave Roberts Wants the San Diego Padres To Take Responsibility
Ohtani’s plunking was more suspicious than Tatis’ hit by pitch, which came with a runner in scoring position during an inning in which the Padres scored two runs.
Ohtani was brushed back off the plate by Padres starter Randy Vásquez’s inside, knee-high heater with one out and nobody on base. Vásquez threw a fastball at 94 mph with his following delivery, sending it even more inside and hitting Ohtani’s right leg.
Afterward, both Vásquez and Padres manager Mike Shildt insisted the throw wasn’t intentional. However, Dodgers manager Dave Roberts disagreed.
According to Dodger Blue, Randy Vásquez “absolutely” wanted to hit Shohei Ohtani. Roberts wants the Padres to simply accept responsibility for that behavior.
Dave Roberts has been tossed after both benches were warned following Shohei Ohtani getting hit by a pitch
Fernando Tatis Jr. was also plunked in the top half of the inning pic.twitter.com/2fCoK7tsLh
— Talkin’ Baseball (@TalkinBaseball_) June 18, 2025
But it was what transpired following the umpires’ meeting that really got Roberts fired up. Marvin Hudson, the crew chief, came out of the meeting and warned both dugouts. As he took on the field, Roberts raised his arms in confusion and demanded an explanation right then.
Hudson gestured for Roberts to remain motionless. Third base umpire Tripp Gibson, however, did the honor of ejecting him from the game after he failed to do so.
At first, Roberts claimed he was unaware that he had been kicked out. However, after Hudson told him that Gibson had already ejected him, Roberts let loose the kind of rant that has been uncommon in his 10 years as manager.
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As he pleaded his case, he often pointed aggressively toward Gibson. Hudson did his best to play interference, preventing him from directly approaching Gibson.
Only then, after nearly two complete minutes of stomping around, did Roberts eventually back off, stumbling back to the clubhouse with a frown on his face.
The entire series between the Dodgers and the Padres has been quite eventful. In the series opener Monday night, Los Angeles outfielder Andy Pages was hit by a pitch from San Diego starter Dylan Cease. Pages stared down Cease, Roberts came on the field and one of the umpires stood on the mound in front of Cease.
The Dodgers have won the first two of this four-game set, with more fireworks in store for Wednesday.