Bryce Harper didn’t have a good relationship with home plate umpire Alex Tosi on Friday night.
The Phillies slugger was ejected in the third inning of Philadelphia’s 5-4 win over the Cardinals after striking out and sending both his helmet and bat flying.
Harper had a ground ball in the first inning and reversed it in the third inning against St. Louis left-hander Zach Thompson.
After leading by a 2-1 count, Harper caught a fastball high and the ball appeared to be above the zone, but Tosi ruled it a strike.
On the next pitch, Thompson threw a 75.6 mph looping curveball, which Harper aimed wide but ended up striking out.
Harper then threw his back toward the third base dugout and fired his helmet in the same direction.
Toshi must have taken exception to the throw and threw Harper out of the game.
The two-time MVP became enraged and began biting the referee who didn’t reverse his ejection.
Harper was stopped by first base coach Paco Figueroa and eventually left the game.
Edmundo Sosa replaced Harper, and Alec Bohm moved from third base to first base.
The Phillies looked to win despite his long absence.
Harper hit .293 with an OPS of .879 and 17 home runs this year.
