A 98-mph fastball to the elbow guard sparked tensions at Dodger Stadium. In the fourth inning of Monday’s game, Los Angeles Dodgers outfielder Andy Pages was upset after getting hit by San Diego Padres starter Dylan Cease. He turned toward the mound and shouted at Cease while players and managers gathered near home plate.

The situation didn’t escalate into a brawl; no benches cleared. However, it intensified a rivalry that is already one of the fiercest in Major League Baseball. Pages later told reporters he thought Cease hit him intentionally. He speculated that the Padres might have been angry because he tried to steal signs after a leadoff double in the previous inning.

“I probably shouldn’t have reacted like that,” Pages said in Spanish. “But he doesn’t miss with a slider on the corner, yet he can miss with a fastball?” he questioned Cease’s control and implied the pitch was intentional.

Cease denied any intention to hit Pages. After the Dodgers’ 6–3 win, the right-hander stated, “It’s not going to stop me from throwing inside. I don’t know if I’ve ever hit a Dodger before. It just happens. It’s part of the game.”

Article Continues Below
More Los Angeles Dodgers News
Los Angeles Dodgers starting pitcher Tyler Glasnow (31) delivers to the plate in the fifth inning against the Atlanta Braves.
Dodgers’ Tyler Glasnow takes mound for rehab sessionJosh Davis ·
Los Angeles Dodgers designated hitter Shohei Ohtani (17) throws against the San Diego Padres during the first inning at Dodger Stadium.
Dodgers star Shohei Ohtani’s pitching return vs. Padres shatters MLB.TV ratings recordJackson Stone ·
San Diego Padres starting pitcher Dylan Cease (84) throws against the Los Angeles Dodgers during the first inning at Dodger Stadium.
Padres ace Dylan Cease scoffs at Andy Pages’ over-the-top reaction to HBPBrayden Haena ·
San Diego Padres third baseman Manny Machado (13) flips his bat after hitting a solo home run in the sixth inning against the Los Angeles Dodgers at Dodger Stadium.
Padres’ Manny Machado sends warning to Dodgers ‘superstars’ after controversial HBPJoey Mistretta ·
Los Angeles Dodgers designated hitter Shohei Ohtani (17) before a game against the Los Angeles Angels at Dodger Stadium.
Dodgers’ Shohei Ohtani sends bold message after first time pitching for teamJosh Davis ·
Los Angeles Dodgers left fielder Andy Pages (44) heads to the field for the game against the New York Yankees
Dodgers’ Andy Pages gets heated at Dylan Cease after scary HBPJosh Davis ·

The exchange drew both managers to the plate and players from both dugouts to the warning track, but the moment quickly calmed down. Still, it emphasized the ongoing friction between these National League West rivals. This tension has been growing since their playoff matches and recent on-field conflicts.

After the game, Pages admitted that his reaction might have come from adrenaline instead of clear thinking. “I tried to find a way to apologize,” he acknowledged, recognizing that the moment overwhelmed him.

Veteran Padres third baseman Manny Machado also commented, dismissing the idea of an intentional hit by pitch (HBP).

“They’ve got some big dogs over there we could hit. This game is crazy. This rivalry. It’s back and forth,” Machado said, noting that Pages is “having a great year” and that such incidents are common in competitive situations.