Bears News: Jake Arrieta calls out Bryce Harper over ejection

Andy Marlin - USA Today Sports

Tony Crumpton · Senior Editor · Tuesday, April 23 2019

This doesn't sound ideal for the Phillies clubhouse with alpha-dog teammates Bryce Harper and Jake Arrieta.

Jake Arrieta had some choice words to superstar outfielder Bryce Harper after he was ejected for arguing balls and strikes during Monday's 5-1 loss to the Mets.

"Look, I mean, he's got to understand we need him in right field, Arrieta said to the media. "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. 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.

Arrieta said the whole team wasn't ready to play against the Mets.

"The dugout was flat," he said. "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 tomorrow ready to play. It's troubling, yea. I'm out there doing everything I can to win a game. I need my guys behind me, and they weren't."

Hopefully, the Phillies can right the ship chemistry-wise with Harper because they have a little under 13 years intertwined together.