SAN DIEGO — You in all probability didn’t have Padres-Nationals as a budding rivalry. However you need to now.
Within the second sport of a fiery three-game sequence between the 2, benches cleared previous to Jurickson Profar’s first at-bat within the first inning Tuesday night time — and that was solely the beginning of the drama at Petco Park.
An evening earlier, Profar authored a dramatic Tenth-inning walk-off single with the bases loaded. The Nationals had opted to deliberately stroll Luis Arraez to pitch to Profar. Then Washington reliever Hunter Harvey got here excessive and tight with an 0-2 fastball, knocking Profar down. After the sport, Profar was fast to say he felt “disrespected.”
When Profar walked it off, he celebrated within the heart of the infield grass and gestured animatedly within the route of the Nationals dugout, although he would later say he was pumping up the group.
Reduce to Tuesday. When Profar arrived at dwelling plate, he was greeted with phrases from Nationals catcher Keibert Ruiz. Manny Machado, on deck on the time, stepped between the 2. However not earlier than the dugouts and bullpens had already cleared.
Not a lot got here of the incident, other than a number of animated conversations. Nevertheless, after tensions settled and each benches had been warned, MacKenzie Gore’s first pitch was a fastball off Profar’s foot.
Padres supervisor Mike Shildt, displeased that Gore wasn’t ejected, promptly emerged to argue and acquired himself run. Gore, a one-time Padres prime prospect, remained within the sport — and Manny Machado launched his subsequent pitch into the left-field seats for a two-run homer.
Petco Park erupted. Machado virtually walked to first base. Profar mainly sprinted to 3rd, then celebrated once more in entrance of the Nationals dugout, although this time he made it clear he was gesturing towards the followers.