May 14, 2023, 06:05 PM ET
DENVER — Philadelphia Phillies star Bryce Harper was ejected from Sunday’s 4-0 loss at Colorado after charging at the Rockies’ dugout following the last out of the top of the seventh inning, setting off an altercation that cleared both teams’ benches and bullpens.
Harper appeared to respond to Colorado reliever Jake Bird, who clapped a hand against his glove and said something toward the Philadelphia dugout.
“I get emotion,” Harper said. “I understand getting fired up for an inning and stuff like that, but once you make it about a team or make it about yourself and the other team, that’s when I’ve kind of got a problem with it.”
Harper was initially restrained by Rockies catcher Elias Diaz, then Phillies third-base coach Dusty Wathan prevented the two-time NL MVP from entering a group of players and coaches gathered near the first-base line.
Harper, who returned to the NL champion Phillies on May 2 after recovering from Tommy John surgery, went 0-for-3 with two strikeouts in the game.
“It could be,” Phillies manager Rob Thomson said when asked whether Harper’s reaction was the result of mounting frustration. “But a guy yelling in your dugout? That shouldn’t happen. Flat out, that shouldn’t happen.”
Bird, who said his comments weren’t directed at anyone in particular, also was ejected.
“I get a little emotional on the mound sometimes,” Bird said. “It’s a good team. It was a big moment. I got a little emotional out there. They took exception to it.”
Thomson had been thrown out the previous inning after arguing with plate umpire Ryan Wills over a called third strike on Kyle Schwarber.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
