Phillies' Dave Dombrowski defends Joe Girardi over 'con artist' comment

The drama between the Philadelphia Phillies and Washington Nationals likely won't subside anytime soon. 

Less than one full day after Phillies manager Joe Girardi had Washington ace Max Scherzer checked for foreign substances multiple times, Nationals president of baseball operations and general manager Mike Rizzo called Girardi a "con artist" during a radio interview for, in his opinion, deliberately trying to throw Scherzer off his game via a new and controversial MLB rule. 

Per Todd Zolecki of the league's website, Phillies president of baseball operations Dave Dombrowski was having none of Rizzo's comments when speaking with reporters later on Wednesday. 

"That’s not Joe Girardi," Dombrowski explained. "It’s totally improper for [Rizzo] to say that, in my opinion. I’ve known Joe Girardi for a long time. I’ve known Mike Rizzo for a long time. I’ve known [Nationals manager] Davey Martinez for a long time. He’s the first player I ever traded for. I’ve known Max Scherzer for a long time. I have the utmost respect for all of them. Joe Girardi is the furthest from a con man of anybody that I know." 

Following Tuesday's game, Girardi said he grew suspicious upon seeing Scherzer repeatedly wipe his head on the mound. "I didn't mean to offend anyone. I just got to do what's right for my club," he added, per an ESPN piece. 

Los Angeles Dodgers ace and southpaw Clayton Kershaw said Tuesday night he thinks managers should be punished if a requested umpire check finds no banned substances.