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Watch: Phillies' Bryce Harper ejected for charging Rockies dugout as benches clear

By Adam Gretz | Last updated May 14, 2023 6:41 PM ET

Tempers flared in Denver on Sunday afternoon when Philadelphia Phillies superstar Bryce Harper charged at the Colorado Rockies dugout, igniting a benches-clearing brawl.

The fracas started when Rockies relief pitcher Jake Bird was walking off the mound following the conclusion of the top of the seventh inning. On his trip back, he began clapping his hands and stuck his tongue out toward the Phillies' dugout.

That display enraged Harper, who immediately charged toward him and the Rockies.

Harper and Bird were both ejected, though no major punches were ever actually thrown.

Have a look at the sequence here.

The benches cleared in the 7th inning. pic.twitter.com/Ag1TZDVHHW
— NBC Sports Philadelphia (@NBCSPhilly) May 14, 2023

It was a frustrating day for Harper and the Phillies as he went 0-for-3 with a pair of strikeouts, while the Rockies went on to a 4-0 win.

The Phillies are now 20-20 during what has been a wildly inconsistent season.

Harper missed the first month of the season after recovering from offseason surgery, but has hit extremely well in his first 11 games since returning as the team's designated hitter. The absences of Harper and first baseman Rhys Hoskins have been major problems for the Phillies' offense this season. Hoskins is expected to miss the entire season after tearing his ACL in spring training. They at least have Harper's bat back in the lineup.

Adam Gretz

Adam Gretz is a freelance writer based in Pittsburgh. He covers the NHL, NFL, MLB and NBA. Baseball is his favorite sport -- he is nearly halfway through his goal of seeing a game in every MLB ballpark. Catch him on Twitter @AGretz

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