Bryce Harper was visibly frustrated after being called out on a check swing during Friday night’s game between the Philadelphia Phillies and the Detroit Tigers. The incident occurred when Tigers reliever Will Vest faced Harper with two runners in scoring position, an open first base, and two outs. Harper believed he had drawn a walk on a low payoff pitch, but after he checked his swing, catcher Dillon Dingler appealed the play to third-base umpire Vic Carapazza, who ruled Harper went around, resulting in a strikeout.
Harper’s Reaction and Ejection from the Game
Upset by the call, Harper made clear his disagreement by directing a gesture toward Carapazza, saying “there’s no way,” perhaps accompanied by an expletive, which led to his ejection from the game. Following the pitch, Harper had already begun to discard his shin guard in preparation to run to first base before the out was confirmed. The timing and nature of the ruling made it a highly debated moment among fans and analysts.
Bryce Harper was ejected after that check swing that led to a strikeout. It wasn’t a good call, to put it mildly. Harper was not pleased. —Jeff Kerr, CBS Sports Reporter
Game Context and Outcome After Ejection
Despite Harper’s early departure on the night, he finished 0-for-3 with two strikeouts and one walk. His ejection came after the Phillies scored three runs in the seventh inning, significantly boosting their lead. The Phillies maintained momentum and secured a 5-4 victory, adding two more runs in the eighth inning to solidify their win.
Significance and Future Implications for the Phillies
This controversial moment highlights the tension often surrounding check swing calls and umpiring decisions, especially in critical game situations. Bryce Harper’s ejection not only affected his playing time in this matchup but also could have implications for team dynamics going forward, as the Phillies continue their push in the <a href="https://www.buzzineintl.com/category/baseball/mlb/”>MLB season. With the Phillies prevailing despite the incident, the team’s resilience was on display, though debates about umpire judgment are likely to continue.