Jake Arrieta knows what it takes to win a championship. In 2016, he helped the Cubs win their first World Series since 1908.
When a guy experiences something like that, he comes to understand that every game matters — even ones in April — and every player has to be on the field. So when the Phillies lost to the Mets 5-1 on Monday and Bryce Harper was ejected in the fourth inning, he noticed, and he let his right fielder know it.
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"Look, I mean, (Harper's) got to understand we need him in right field," Arrieta said, via the Philadelphia Inquirer. "I don't care how bad the umpire is. He wasn't great for either side. I'm out there trying to make pitches, and he misses some calls. So what? We need him out there. I need him in right field, I need him at the plate, and he wasn’t there. So that hurts."
Harper wasn't even ejected after arguing his own balls and strikes. He was tossed during a Cesar Hernandez at-bat when he yelled from the dugout and was subsequently run by home plate umpire Mark Carlson.
Carlson later told pool reporters he heard comments from the dugout "that were inappropriate" and tossed Harper soon after.
There were some on-field fireworks at Citi Field as both Gabe Kapler and Bryce Harper argue with home plate umpire Mark Carlson.
— NBC Sports Philadelphia (@NBCSPhilly) April 23, 2019
Bryce Harper has been ejected from the game. pic.twitter.com/KyM0M8GsMB
Harper was honest after the game, saying he has to be more in control even when he gets emotional.
“It just can’t happen from my side,” Harper said. “In a game like that against the Mets, division rival, it just can’t happen, for me, myself and this team as well. We’re a better team with me in the lineup, and I’ve got to stay in there.”
The loss dropped Philadelphia's record to 12-10 and in a tie with the Mets for the lead in the National League East. This was an odd game as it didn't start until 8:45 p.m. ET due to a weather delay, but the Phillies never got going at the plate, scoring just one run on three hits mostly against starter Steven Matz, who had allowed eight runs (six earned) without recording an out in his last time out.
Arrieta wasn't bad as he allowed four runs (three earned) in six innings of work in the loss, but he was also critical of how he and the team came out for a game they really wanted to win, even if it is early in the season.
"We were flat from start to finish. Two-hour delay, it doesn't matter. We have to be ready to play. We weren't, and it showed," he said. "The dugout was flat. The defense wasn’t good. Didn’t throw the ball well as a staff overall. We got beat. We started at 8:45. I don’t think our guys were ready to play. We’ve got to come out (Tuesday) ready to play."