Phillies manager Gabe Kapler ejected from game against Marlins, kicks dirt on umpire

Gabe Kapler may have found a way to win over the Philadelphia fans.

The Phillies manager was ejected Saturday in the fourth inning, kicked dirt on the umpire, and left the field to a standing ovation. Kapler argued with home-plate umpire Chris Guccione when Scott Kingery was called out on strikes after the pitch hit his hands.

“We deserved for me to have a say and to defender our player, to defend Scott Kingery,” Kapler said. “The home plate umpire didn’t think that it was reasonable to be arguing what turned out to be balls and strikes, and I felt like (I was arguing) swing or no swing.”

The crowd began to cheer as Kapler’s discussion with Guccione continued and his anger seemed to build. He was the first Phillies manager to be ejected since Pete Mackanin in 2017. Kapler was ejected just once during his playing career when he was involved in a Red Sox-Yankees brawl in 2004.

Kapler said he “absolutely” did not intend to kick dirt towards the umpires.

“What I believe in is defending our players, and I thought Scott got hit by a pitch and did not swing the bat,” Kapler said. “And I felt like the right thing to do in that situation was defend Scott. I’ll continue to fight for our players.”