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Philadelphia Phillies star Bryce Harper was thrown out of the game after strongly disagreeing with a check-swing call in the third inning during the team’s 5-4 victory over the Detroit Tigers at Citizens Bank Park on Friday night.
Harper was at bat with runners on second and third base in the bottom of the seventh inning, with the game tied 3-3. As the count reached full, Harper attempted to check his swing on a breaking ball in the dirt thrown by Tigers’ relief pitcher Will Vest.
Third base umpire Vic Carapazza ruled Harper out on the check swing, leading Harper to express his disagreement. He immediately removed his helmet and gestured in frustration.
Bryce Harper, #3 of the Philadelphia Phillies, looks on during the fourth inning against the Detroit Tigers at Citizens Bank Park on August 1, 2025, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Caean Couto/Getty Images)
As Harper approached Carapazza, he was heard saying, “There is no way,” and was subsequently ejected.
Harper accepted the ejection, stating, “I left the batter’s box walking toward him, so I think it was warranted.”
Philadelphia Phillies first baseman Bryce Harper (3) reacts to an official after being called out on strikes to end the seventh inning at Citizens Bank Park on August 1, 2025, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Bill Streicher/Imagn Images)
“Can’t get thrown out in that situation, especially with the ninth inning possibly coming around and my at-bat coming up,” he added.
Following Harper’s ejection in the bottom of the seventh inning, Tigers right fielder Wenceel Perez hit a solo home run to put them up 4-3.
However, the Phillies responded in the bottom of the eighth inning with two runs. Left fielder Otto Kemp doubled to score right fielder Nick Castellanos, tying the game at 4-4.
Philadelphia Phillies’ Bryce Harper looks on after getting ejected for arguing on a checked swing during the seventh inning of a baseball game against the Detroit Tigers, Friday, Aug. 1, 2025, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Chris Szagola)
Second baseman Bryson Stott singled to bring Kemp home, giving the Phillies a 5-4 lead that they maintained.
With the win, the Phillies took first place in the National League East from the New York Mets, who lost their game.
The Phillies (62-47) will aim to continue their winning streak against the Tigers (64-47) in the second game of their series on Saturday at 4:05 p.m. ET.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
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