Padres’ Robert Suarez SLAPPED with 3-Game Suspension for Hitting Shohei Ohtani by Pitch

The MLB would hand out a 3-game suspension to Robert Suarez as he hit Shohei Ohtani by the pitch in the bottom of the 9th inning.

Padres’ Robert Suarez SLAPPED with 3-Game Suspension for Hitting Shohei Ohtani by Pitch

Robert Suarez and Shohei Ohtani (Image via AP News/X/@BRWalkoff/Imago)

On Thursday, things got heated between division rivals, the San Diego Padres and the Los Angeles Dodgers. Robert Suarez, the Padres pitcher who hit Shohei Ohtani by the pitch, was handed a 3-game suspension by MLB.

Benches got cleared in the top of the 9th inning when Dodgers’ relief pitcher, Jack Little, would hit Fernando Tatis Jr., leaving the 2-time All-Star in some pain. His manager, Mike Shildt, would later come out of his area and argue with the umpires.

His counterpart, Dave Roberts, then rushed out and shoved him, leading to some exchange of words and benches being cleared. Both the managers were ejected from the game for their part in this brawl.

In the bottom of this inning, Robert Suarez would end up hitting Ohtani. This was the second time in this series where a hit by pitch on Tatis Jr. was followed by a hit by pitch on Ohtani.

The Japanese international, though, kept his cool and urged his teammates to remain calm. He would even shake hands with Suarez. The umpires would eject the pitcher for hitting the reigning National League MVP.

The MLB would hand out suspensions to Shildt, Roberts, and Suarez. While the two managers got suspended for 1-game, Suarez was slapped with a 3-game suspension for intentionally hitting Ohtani. The player would later appeal this decision.

Robert Suarez claims his hit by pitch on Shohei Ohtani was not intentional

Robert Suarez found himself in hot water after he hit Shohei Ohtani. While Dodgers manager Dave Roberts called it an intentional hit from him, the pitcher declined this and expressed that the hit was not intentional.

Robert Suarez and Shohei Ohtani
Robert Suarez and Shohei Ohtani (Image via X/@FoulTerritoryTV/Imago)

Ohtani, who recently made his returning to pitching, was hit in the shoulder on a 3-0 count with a 100 mph fastball. This is what Roberts was not pleased with it as he did not wanted to lose his star player through another injury.

While speaking on the matter through his interpreter on Friday, the 34-year-old pitcher claimed that the Dodgers were “entitled” to their opinion and they can say whatever they want.

I was never trying to get anyone into trouble or hit anybody. Unfortunately, it happened. I got ejected and I couldn’t finish out the game, but we won as a team and we were able to salvage that game. They (Dodgers) entitled to their opinion. They can say whatever they want. That was not the case.

The Padres were leading 5-0 while entering the bottom of the 9th inning. They ended up giving 3 runs in this inning, with Suarez having 1 earned run. In the end, they won the game 5-3 and avoided getting swept in a 4-game series.

MLB insider makes bold statement regarding Robert Suarez

The series finale between the Dodgers and the Padres produced several key moments. One of them was Robert Suarez hitting Shohei Ohtani with the pitch. While discussing about this incident later on, an MLB insider made a bold statement regarding the pitcher.

Robert Suarez
Robert Suarez (Image via X/@BRWalkoff)

Following the game, Jake Peavy, Jon Heyman, Steve Phillips, and Thad Levine would discuss the benches-clearing incident and Suarez’s hitting Ohtani on MLB Now. During this, insider Jon Heyman boldly claimed that the Venezuelan pitcher intentionally hit the two-way star.

I will say this about Suarez. He obviously did it on purpose, and he declined comment. I’ll give him a little credit. I usually don’t like people declining comment, but it’s better than lying and we all know that he was up to no good there. As I said, he was one of many up to no good, but at least he didn’t lie about it.

The 64-year-old insider further expressed that they cannot have people hitting Ohtani and seemingly urged him to find someone else to hit. This statement from him drew ire among social media users.

I understand that it’s a star for a star and I for an eye. Ohtani is on a different level. We can’t hit Ohtani. You just can’t. He is a phenomenon… Just can’t do it for the good of the game. Find another star to hit. That’s not the guy to hit.

Ohtani is expected to make his 2nd start for the Dodgers this coming Sunday against the Washington Nationals. In his first start, he only pitched one inning and gave up 1 run on 2 hits. Despite that, the Dodgers ended up winning that game 6-3.

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