Bryce Harper: "I don't think 40,000 people came to watch him ump tonight"

The second ejection of star Bryce Harper in the past week overshadowed the Nationals' 12th come-from-behind win in tonight's 3-2 triumph over the Yankees.

Harper, the current back-to-back winner of the National League's Player of the Week honors, was tossed by home plate umpire Melvin Hudson in the third inning during his second at-bat. Hudson had just called Yankees starter Adam Warren's first pitch to Harper a strike. It looked low. There was objection from Nationals manager Matt Williams in the dugout as Harper stepped out of the box.

"I feel like he was more mad at Matt than he was me," Harper said. "I was just standing there. He called the strike and I didn't care really. I just looked off and put my head over. I looked at the floor and was like, 'That was a little down, don't you think?' He told me to get in the box and I was already in the box. Then I was standing there looking at the pitcher. He took his mask off to talk to Matt and so I stepped out."

Then everything quickly elevated to another level.

"I didn't need to be in the box while he was chirping at Matt," Harper said. "Then they were going at it. He told me to get my butt in the box. I was like, 'Well, you're still chirping at my manager, so let me take a minute.' He told me to put my foot in the box and I said, 'I'll take the fine.' It's not a priority for us to get in the box unless we really need to. I was just taking my time. Once I put my foot back in the box, I said, 'This is where I was,' he rung me. He tossed me."

Harper exploded in Hudson's face as Williams raced out of the dugout to save his right fielder. Third base coach Bob Henley hurried down the line to grab Harper and lead him off the field while Williams raged at Hudson. Hudson quickly ejected Williams, but not before the Nationals manager kicked up a dirt and chalk storm in the batter's box.

"I can't explain it," a still visibly angry Williams said after. "I don't believe there's anything that warrants throwing him out of the game right there. He took the pitch. He disagreed with the call. He stepped back in the box. Marvin took his mask off and talked to me in the dugout. When he was done with that, then he motioned for Harp to get back in the box. He attempted to. And he threw him out. That's what I saw. So, I don't know if there's anything to warrant him being ejected."

Williams' anger is understandable considering Harper has led his team's resurgence this year with an offensive assault that's been show-stopping the past three weeks.

"Doggone it, he's our best player and arguably the best player on the planet right now," said an emotional Williams. "And we need him in the game. And I don't feel as if there was any need to throw him out. So, that's why I went out and argued."

After the game, Hudson indicated to the pool reporter that Harper's ejection had nothing to do with getting in the batter's box, but rather that Harper continued his chatter with Hudson.

"He didn't like the pitch, and I let him have his say going and coming," Hudson said. "The dugout didn't like it, and one thing led to another and I had to run him. I had to eject him."

It's not the first time Harper and Hudson have experienced problems with each other. During a loss to the Braves in August 2013, the two jawed at each other after Hudson called Harper out to end the game on a check-swing.

It was also a dispute over a check-swing that led to Harper's ejection last Wednesday in Arizona. Williams also prematurely exited that contest as well after defending Harper.

Hudson's third inning ejection of Harper left the crowd at Nats Park furious.

"I don't think 40,000 people came to watch him ump tonight," Harper said. "Plain and simple. Plain and simple. I really don't think they did. Especially when we're playing the Yankees. The Yankees are a good team, we're a good team and we're rolling. I don't want to get tossed. There's no reason for me to get tossed in that situation. I don't think I did anything bad to get tossed. Maybe he just had a bad morning or he didn't get his coffee."

You can read Harper's full quote explaning his ejection here.

Jordan Zimmermann spotted the Yankees two runs in the first, but again it was no problem for the Nats, who have made a habit of claiming comeback wins. A pair of solo homers from Ian Desmond and Tyler Moore evened the score, and an RBI single from Denard Span pushed the Nats over the top.

The Nationals have now won five straight games and stand in sole possession of first place in the NL East with a 24-17 record.