Tensions arose last season between the Los Angeles Dodgers and San Diego Padres, and most expected it to return with the two teams considered the National League class and one of the best in baseball.
Friday was their first meeting of the regular season in 2021 and it certainly did not disappoint. The Dodgers wiped out a backlog twice and won 11-6 in extra innings.
There were dramatic hits and tense moments along the way, and tempers flared in the 10th innings when Dennis Santana hit Jorge Mateo with a pitch. Mateo’s body language made it clear that he did not approach it kindly, and this apparently drew Santana’s anger.
The two exchanged words, but were quickly separated by teammates while both benches and bullpen were cleared. “I just think Mateo took exception,” Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said after the game.
‘[Santana] lost one armpit, there was certainly no intention. I’m glad it’s resolved and Dennis is calm again to get out of the turn. ”
Jorge Mateo gets hit … and the banks are cleaned in San Diego.#HungryForMore pic.twitter.com/IuPf48DO0h
– Bally Sports San Diego (@BallySportsSD) 17 April 2021
The hit per pitch was part of a shaky appearance from Santana and one that had the Dodgers on the verge of suffering loss. San Diego has loaded the bases for Fernando Tatis Jr., who has already hit a home field in his first game of the 10-day injured list.
Santana used a steady dose of slides to make Tatis look, and celebrated by hitting his chest after the Dodgers’ dig. “It was really fun to watch,” Roberts said.
“It felt like a playoff game. The crowd was getting fans – which we did not have last year – the home fans were expecting this match again, so there was a lot of build-up. The players, there was a lot of energy, focus, competing. Those guys did not stop, we did not stop. It was pretty cool to see everyone make a contribution tonight. ‘
Dodgers, Padres a rival?
Roberts was adamant that the Padres were not a rival to the Dodgers, but he conceded a bit about the attitude by admitting that Friday’s game felt that way and was a post-season atmosphere.
This was a sentiment that David Price agreed with, especially after the rift between Santana and Mateo. ‘I thought about it out there. “All competition in baseball is really good, but once you get the first clearance from the bench, it goes to the next level,” said Price.
‘I’m sure we’ll be ready to play [Saturday] and so will they. I think Kersh is throwing, so we’ll be ready. ”
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