Benches Clear in Chaos as Dodgers’ Gavin Stone Hits Padres’ Fernando Tatis Jr.; Both Managers Ejected Amid Rising Tensions

The electric atmosphere of a heated rivalry turned volatile on Thursday night at Petco Park, when benches cleared in a chaotic scene following a hit-by-pitch incident that saw Padres superstar Fernando Tatis Jr. plunked by a pitch from Dodgers reliever Gavin Stone (mistakenly referred to as “Little” by some early reports). The benches-clearing moment came in the sixth inning of a game already brewing with tension, and it resulted in both managers—Dave Roberts of the Dodgers and Mike Shildt of the Padres—being ejected.

The pitch—a 97 mph fastball—caught Tatis Jr. square on the shoulder. While it was not immediately clear whether the pitch was intentional, the Padres’ dugout erupted in anger. Tatis, visibly frustrated but composed, made his way to first base while words were exchanged between players and coaches. Moments later, several players poured onto the field, and both bullpens emptied as umpires rushed to contain the fracas.

No punches were thrown, but the shouting match between players and coaches quickly escalated to a point where both benches were warned. After conferring, the umpiring crew decided to eject both Roberts and Shildt for their roles in escalating the situation. The move was met with mixed reactions from the crowd, which had already been buzzing due to the competitive nature of the game and the long-standing tension between the two clubs.

The Incident:
Tatis Jr., who has had a torrid start to the season and remains one of the most electrifying players in Major League Baseball, had already singled and homered earlier in the game. With the Padres holding a narrow lead, the Dodgers made a pitching change, bringing in Gavin Stone, a young right-hander who’s shown promise this season but struggled with control in this outing.

On the second pitch of the at-bat, Stone’s fastball sailed inside and struck Tatis. The timing—coming after Tatis had torched Dodgers pitching earlier in the game—didn’t help defuse suspicions from the San Diego side that the HBP was deliberate. Tatis didn’t charge the mound, but his stare-down of Stone spoke volumes. The two exchanged words before the umpires intervened.

The hit-by-pitch was reminiscent of past flare-ups between the two division rivals, whose recent history has been marked by high-stakes matchups, emotional moments, and plenty of bad blood. Whether or not this incident was a retaliation or just a poorly located fastball, the Padres weren’t buying any explanation that didn’t involve intent.

Aftermath on the Field:
Once the situation calmed, Tatis remained in the game, as did Stone—though the Dodgers’ coaching staff soon replaced him. Both managers had been animated in the aftermath, with Roberts defending his pitcher and insisting the pitch wasn’t intentional, while Shildt argued vehemently with the umpires that his player had been targeted.

Shildt’s ejection was his third of the season, while Roberts, known for his typically calm demeanor, appeared unusually fiery, needing to be restrained by his coaching staff as he barked at the umpiring crew. The double ejection meant both clubs had to turn to their bench coaches to manage the remainder of the game.

In postgame interviews, Shildt didn’t hold back.

“You don’t throw at a guy like that just because he’s good. That’s not how this game should be played,” Shildt said. “We’re going to protect our guys. And when something like that happens, we’re not going to sit quietly.”

Roberts, meanwhile, offered a different take.

“There was no intent whatsoever. We’re trying to win a ballgame. Gavin missed a spot, and it happens,” Roberts said. “But I understand why they were upset. It’s emotional. Still, we didn’t do anything with bad intentions.”

Rivalry Reignited:
The Dodgers and Padres rivalry has intensified in recent years, fueled by postseason matchups, superstar talent on both sides, and divisional stakes that have often seen the teams fighting for playoff positioning. Add in passionate fan bases and media scrutiny, and it doesn’t take much to light a spark.

Tatis Jr., in particular, has been a central figure in this dynamic. His flair, talent, and swagger have made him a target for opposing teams and a hero to Padres fans. And when he performs at his peak—like he did earlier in this game—tempers tend to flare, especially when the Dodgers are the ones watching the show.

This benches-clearing incident will likely be reviewed by Major League Baseball. It’s possible fines or further discipline could be handed down if the league determines that the pitch was indeed intentional, or if players are found to have violated conduct policies during the altercation.

Reactions Around the League:
By the end of the night, clips of the incident had gone viral. MLB Twitter lit up with heated debate, fans divided between those who felt the Dodgers were simply pitching inside and those who believed it was a clear message to Tatis. Former players and analysts joined the discourse, many acknowledging the unwritten rules of baseball while also calling for greater protection of star players.

“You don’t have to love the bat flips, the struts, or the celebrations. But throwing at a guy is bush league,” one former All-Star tweeted. “Tatis is good for the game. Let him play.”

Others came to Stone’s defense, arguing that his youth and lack of control could easily explain the pitch’s trajectory. Either way, this is unlikely to be the last chapter in this story.

What Comes Next:
The two teams still have games remaining in this series, and with the standings tight in the NL West, every game counts. But after Thursday night’s explosion, the focus will not only be on wins and losses, but on player safety, emotions, and how the league handles escalating tensions.

It remains to be seen whether MLB will issue any fines or suspensions. Meanwhile, fans and media alike are bracing for the next Dodgers-Padres matchup, with speculation already swirling about potential retaliation or further flare-ups.

One thing is certain: Baseball’s most heated rivalry just got even hotter.

As for Tatis, he finished the game with two hits, including his 14th home run of the season, a bomb to left field that sent the San Diego crowd into a frenzy. After rounding the bases, he didn’t look toward the Dodgers’ dugout—but he didn’t have to. His performance said enough.

The benches may have cleared, but Tatis Jr. once again stood tall as the center of attention. And in a rivalry where every pitch matters and every moment is magnified, Thursday’s drama will be remembered for a long time to come.