Arizona Diamondbacks manager Torey Lovullo had a heated moment with Philadelphia Phillies star JT Realmuto Monday night after one of his players was hit by a pitch in consecutive at-bats.
Phillies starting pitcher Matt Strahm hit outfielder Corbin Carroll in the first inning and again in the third inning. After the second shot, Lovullo came off the bench and engaged in an intense exchange with Realmuto.
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Diamondbacks manager Torey Lovullo yells at Philadelphia Phillies’ JT Realmuto after being ejected from the game at Chase Field on June 12, 2023 in Phoenix, Arizona. (Norma Hall/Getty Images)
Arizona third base coach Tony Perezchica held off Lovullo as both teams’ benches cleared and gathered around home plate. Plate umpire Vic Carapaza ejected Lovullo as the fight continued.
«I knew I had no right to do it and the referee told me, ‘I’m going to have to send you off if you don’t get off the field right now,'» Lovullo said afterwards. via MLB.com. «And I said, ‘Well, I’m not leaving,’ and that’s why they kicked me out.»
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Phillies and Diamondbacks players and coaches face off near home plate after Arizona’s Corbin Carroll was hit by a pitch for the second time, Monday, June 12, 2023, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)
Third base coach Tony Perezchica stops Arizona Diamondbacks manager Torey Lovullo during the third inning at Chase Field on June 12, 2023 in Phoenix. (Norma Hall/Getty Images)
Strahm was seen yelling at someone in the Diamondbacks dugout after Christian Walker volleyed. Arizona outfielder Josh Rojas was ejected after the second matchup, prompting Jeff Banister to come out and talk to Carapazza.
Arizona would finish with the 9-8 victory. Realmuto hit the cycle in defeat.
The receiver explained things from his perspective.
«I think it looked a little worse on video than it actually was,» he added. «Because he wasn’t challenging me at all. He wasn’t saying anything derogatory. He was just endorsing his player. At one point he said to me, ‘I’d do the same for you. If you were on my team.’ I would support you too,’ and he pointed to my chest.
Diamondbacks manager Torey Lovullo is ejected from Chase Field on June 12, 2023 in Phoenix, Arizona. (Norma Hall/Getty Images)
«It seemed like he was saying something bad to me, but he really wasn’t. He was just defending his player.»
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Lovullo said that he has nothing but respect for Realmuto.
Associated Press contributed to this report.