Dodgers-Padres tensions erupt as Dave Roberts, Mike Shildt nearly come to blows

There is no love lost between the Los Angeles Dodgers and San Diego Padres. These two teams hate each other. Thursday night's series finale at Chavez Ravine was just another reminder of how deep the enmity between the two clubs goes as Dave Roberts and Mike Shildt nearly came to blows in the top of the ninth inning.

With the Padres up 5-0 in the top of the ninth inning, Dodgers' rookie pitcher Jack Little came up and in on San Diego's outfielder Fernando Tatis Jr. The ball hit Tatis on the arm, marking the third time in the last four games that the Padres' star was plunked.

That, of course, drew the ire of the Padres manager, and Shildt was visibly upset with Roberts and the Dodgers dugout. Shildt came onto the field, to check on Tatis, but also to make Roberts aware that he was sick and tired of San Diego's best player being thrown at. Roberts took exception to Shildt's accusations, and met the Padres' skipper midway.

Dave Roberts, Mike Shildt nearly come to blows in Dodgers-Padres benches-clearing drama

Obviously the accusation that Little hit Tatis on purpose did not sit well with Roberts, and the Dodgers manager can been seen shoving Shildt behind home plate. That got the benches (and bullpens) emptied in a hurry and umpiring crew had a difficult time keeping the peace.

This was inevitable, and frankly, the umpiring crew did a horrific job of managing this situation. Anyone with two brain cells knows of the animosity between these two teams, and to allow it to get to this point was shameful.

Cooler heads eventually prevailed, but both Roberts and Shildt were ejected from the game. Dodgers fans won't want to hear this, but Little should've been removed as well. Though it's highly unlikely that the Dodgers' rookie was purposefully trying to hit Tatis, given the situation — down five runs in the ninth inning after already witnessing six HBP in the series — the umpire would've been justified in ejecting Little.

Things got even more intense in the bottom of the inning with Shohei Ohtani up to bat. After LA chipped away at San Diego's lead, Padres closer Robert Suarez came up and in on the Dodgers' superstar and plunked Ohtani. The umpires immediately tossed Suarez, and were it not for Ohtani motioning to the Dodgers dugout to stay put, it's likely the benches would've cleared once again.

Some casual observers are beginning to be believe that this rivalry is starting to mimic that of the New York Yankees and Boston Red Sox. Though it may not have reached those heights just yet, this latest fracas will have the baseball world focused on the next time these two clubs meet. LA will welcome San Diego back to Dodger Stadium on August 15, and it's a good bet that sparks will fly.

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