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Austin Barnes Addresses Ejection, What Lead Up to Argument

Originally posted on FanNation Inside The Dodgers
By Clint Pasillas | Last updated 4/9/23

Nine year veteran Austin Barnes was ejected for the first time in his career on Sunday afternoon in Arizona. The catcher got into it with home plate umpire Lance Barrett in the fourth inning, arguing balls and strikes. While he appeared ready to move on and got back into his squat behind the plate, the jawing didn't subside and he said something that got him rung up.

He didn't reveal what exactly got him tossed but did say he was surprised by the ejection. Ultimately, it sounded like he was more frustrated by the game than any one moment or pitch.

"I was a little surprised. But he felt a certain way, I guess... It's unfortunate to get tossed, especially on Willie's day off. But I felt like I had to stick up for my pitcher a little bit. Obviously the game wasn’t going our way. Some close calls. It was just a little frustrating not being able to get our pitchers through those innings. But I can’t get thrown out there especially on a day off for Will.”

Manager Dave Roberts seemed surprised by the incident but saw things from both sides of the aisle.

“I thought, to be quite honest, Lance was pretty good all day, but Austin’s fighting for pitches. It’s frustrating getting it handed to you. He’s fighting for his pitchers. And so I respect that. But in that situation, he knows that we got to keep him in the ballgame.”

It may not have been enough to turn the tides for the Dodgers in the outcome of the game, but it's worth noting that the Dbacks didn't score again after Barnes got thrown out.

This article first appeared on FanNation Inside The Dodgers and was syndicated with permission.

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