Washington Nationals outfielder Bryce Harper was ejected from Monday night’s game against the Detroit Tigers, then yelled at home plate umpire Brian Knight after the game.
Harper was ejected in the bottom of the ninth inning from the dugout after Danny Espinosa was called out on strikes. After he was ejected he yelled at Knight saying that he didn’t say anything, according to Yahoo Sports. He tried to argue the call but was held back by the coaches. National’s manager Dusty Baker argued with Knight after Harper got ejected and Knight told him that he had considered kicking Harper out of the game earlier. Harper had yelled at Knight after he was called out on strikes in the fourth inning. The ejection was Harper’s first this season and the seventh of his career, ESPN notes. After Espinosa struck out pinch-hitter Clint Robinson hit a homerun to win the game for the Nationals. As the Nationals celebrated the win Harper pointed and yelled at Knight.
“Everybody was up on the steps, preaching about what they thought was going on," Harper said after the game. "[Knight] kind of picked me and said, 'See ya later.' I think my emotions showed that I was pretty surprised, but, you know, I think Clint Robinson made me really excited, hit the walk-off, and we got the W, so that's all that matters about tonight."
Harper added that he thinks that what he did was the right thing to do and wanted Knight to hear what he had to say. He could be fined or suspended by Major League Baseball after the situation is reviewed by MLB, according to Fox Sports. Harper went 0-2 Monday night as he was walked twice and struck out once.
The Nationals won the game 5-4. They are now 20-12 and are in second place in the NL East.