5 ejected during Phillies-Tigers spring game: 'It was crazy'

Philadelphia Phillies rookie skipper Gabe Kapler couldn't wait until the regular season before receiving the first ejection of his managerial career.

Kapler was one of two coaches and three players who were tossed from the Phillies' game with the Detroit Tigers on Thursday.

It all started in the fifth inning when Tigers left-hander Matt Boyd sailed a pitch over the head of Phillies outfielder Odubel Herrera. Boyd would later drill Herrera with a pitch during the same at-bat and was immediately ejected by home plate umpire Tom Hallion.

"It was crazy," Tigers skipper Ron Gardenhire said, according to the Associated Press. "I guess once the precedent was decided that he thought we threw intentionally at him, I guess he decided he had to set the tone."

In the eighth inning, Hallion tossed Phillies reliever Parker Frazier after he plunked a batter in the leg with an 81-mph slider. Kapler was also ejected from the game due to warnings being issued earlier.

If that wasn't enough drama for a spring training game, two more were ejected in the top of the ninth inning. Phillies reliever Pedro Beato caught another Tiger with a pitch inside and was immediately thrown out. Philadelphia bench coach Rob Thompson - who was filling in for Kapler - was shown off the field as well.

(Video courtesy: MLB.com)

"We had a young minor leaguer in the game, he's just trying to make a good impression," Kapler said. "Threw a slider and it backed up and hit somebody. Beato is trying to make the club and make the best possible impression on everybody. Balls are going to get away from guys. It's part of the game."

The Tigers would win the game 6-2.