Jorge Mateo, San Diego Padres, Dennis Santana, Los Angeles Dodgers. (Mandatory Credit: Orlando Ramirez-USA TODAY Sports)
The benches cleared after San Diego Padres pinch hitter Jorge Mateo was struck by Los Angeles Dodgers right-hander Dennis Santana’s offering.
Things escalated quickly after Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher Dennis Santana plunked San Diego Padres pinch hitter Jorge Mateo in extra innings on Friday night.
Mateo was not amused and had some words for Santana. This led to the benches clearing late into the night game of the NL West rivalry game. The Dodgers would eventually plate five base runners in the top of the 12th inning, winning the contest decidedly, 11-6. With these two teams expected to contend for postseason positioning all year, every game between these two matters.
Here is a look at what went down at Petco Park very late on Friday night.
Jorge Mateo was struck by Dennis Santana and the benches cleared at Petco
The Dodgers’ hot start continues, as the Boys in Blue improved to 12-2 on the year. They have easily the best record in baseball with a 3.5-game lead over the San Francisco Giants and the Padres in the NL West race. San Diego drops to 9-6 on the year in this crushing extra-inning defeat at home. This was the first game between these two division rivals on the year as well.
The Padres have two more games at home vs. the Dodgers to round out the weekend slate. After a three-game series vs. the Milwaukee Brewers at the start of next week, the Padres will have to travel to Chavez Ravine to take on the Dodgers on Thursday for a four-game series next weekend. Simply put, the Padres have no choice but to keep pace with the defending World Series champs.
If you have your doubts about this rivalry, this benches-clearing incident should change your mind.