Harper was ejected in the first inning of Phillies road trip after poor decision originally appeared in NBC Sports Philadelphia
DENVER — Coors Field was packed with Phillies fans for Friday night’s series opener, but those who attended only saw half an inning from Bryce Harper.
Harper was ejected after the top of the first by home plate umpire Brian Walsh. He struck out on three pitches. The second pitch was a low, inside sinker that was not a strike but was called a strike.
Harper was visibly upset that it was a hit, called time out and had a few words with Walsh. He struck out on the next pitch and the conversation continued after the inning ended. Harper threw his helmet in frustration, but it wasn’t a heated exchange. He just seemed to claim that the pitch was not a hit – which was true.
Murphy must have heard the magic words and quickly kicked Harper out. Harper has been sent off 24 times in his career, but he was clearly surprised by this one, throwing his hands up as if to say: Come on man, I’m just trying to talk to you.
Coach Rob Thomson rushed to his player’s defense, saying: “You can’t do that.”
With Harper out of the game, the Phillies moved Alec Bohm from third base to first base, moved Whit Merrifield from left field to third base, Cristian Pache from center field to right and inserted Johan Rojas into center.
