The Los Angeles Dodgers-San Diego Padres rivalry is not going anywhere. Not anytime soon. During their Monday matchup, the Dodgers came out on top against the Padres with a 6-3 score at Dodger Stadium.
Other than the on-field action, the game was filled with drama. It peaked when Dodgers outfielder Andy Pages was hit by a pitch from Padres pitcher Dylan Cease.
After the game, Padres star Manny Machado gave his take on the situation. He downplayed the idea that San Diego would intentionally target Pages.
“They got way more superstars over there if we want to hit somebody. They’ve got some big dogs over there we could hit. This game is crazy, right, this rivalry. It’s back and forth. Playing this competition, things get heated,” Machado told ESPN’s Alden Gonzalez.
Manny Machado on Dylan Cease hitting Andy Pages last night: “They’ve got way more superstars over there. (If) we want to hit somebody, they’ve got some big dogs over there we could hit.”
— Talking Friars (@TalkingFriars) June 17, 2025
(via @sdutKevinAcee) pic.twitter.com/bVfSNn1ETr
The competitive nature of the Dodgers-Padres rivalry has really taken off in recent years, and this game was no exception. The Dodgers were sitting at a strong 44-29 record, while the Padres followed closely behind at 39-32.
They are placed third in the National League West, four games behind their rivals. It’s a tight race, especially with the San Francisco Giants lurking just behind them, making the stakes even higher.
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Shohei Ohtani Stole The Show During Dodgers-Padres Heated Matchup
While there was a lot of back-and-forth going on the mound, Ohtani’s much-awaited pitching debut stole the show.
The Dodgers’ star gave his fans just what they had been longing for so long against the Padres.
As Ohtani threw his very first pitch, excitement filled the air, with fans whipping out their phones to capture the occasion.
Shohei Ohtani was NOT HAPPY after this checked swing from Manny Machado was ruled a no swing 😳
— Dodgers Nation (@DodgersNation) June 17, 2025
Via @SportsNetLA pic.twitter.com/tWHWMqIghB
In his first inning, Ohtani didn’t disappoint. He threw 28 pitches, including a jaw-dropping fastball clocked at 100.2 mph. He followed that up with another impressive pitch at 99.9 mph.
Among the highlights of his inning were a wild pitch, a bloop single given up to Fernando Tatis Jr., and a sacrifice fly to Manny Machado.
However, the Padres took an early lead with a score of 1-0 off two hits.
What makes Ohtani’s debut even more special is the historical significance of it all. He became the first NL player since 1953 to start a game as a pitcher and bat leadoff in the same game.
Also Read: Ticket Prices Skyrocket As Shohei Ohtani Set To Make First Pitching Start For Dodgers
