Harper on potential fine for post-ejection antics: "I'll pay it"

It's very likely that getting walked almost every time he steps into the batter's box has started to take its toll on Nationals slugger Bryce Harper.

Or maybe it was his batting average dipping to .260 or his team losing four straight games.

But during the ninth inning Monday, in a 4-4 tie between the Nationals and the Tigers, Harper had finally had enough after watching teammate Danny Espinosa get called out on a third strike by home plate umpire Brian Knight.

Harper was ejected while arguing with Knight from the dugout with one out in the bottom of the ninth.

Manager Dusty Baker came out to argue the ejection with Knight.

Shortly after, pinch-hitter Clint Robinson slammed a walk-off homer for a 5-4 victory.

As Robinson crossed the plate, Harper was caught on television cameras yelling a few more choice words toward Knight as the celebration with his teammates erupted at home plate.

After the game, Harper was asked about what happened in the bottom of the ninth.

"I think everybody was up on the steps, preaching about what they thought was going on," Harper said of the called third strike on Espinosa. "(Knight) kind of picked (me) and said, 'See ya later." I think my emotions showed that I was pretty surprised, but you know, I think Clint Robinson made me really excited, hit the walk-off and we got the W, so that's all that matters about tonight."

Baker described the dugout scene when Espinosa was called out.

"Most of the guys in the dugout thought that that ball was high on Espinosa," Baker said. "There was no profanity or nothing. I guess you can't kick everybody out on the team. A lot of the guys were hollering about it. He said he had kept Bryce in the game earlier. That was it."

The ejection marked Harper's seventh ejection as a professional, first since July 31 of last season.

"It's an emotional game," said manager Dusty Baker. "He's an emotional young man, like most of us on the field out there. You certainly don't like him to get tossed, but every once and awhile, you got to blow off some steam or else you go crazy. I'm sure it won't happen again. Like I said, he didn't swear at him or nothing. It's over now and we won the game."

A reporter asked Harper if he used colorful language in his postgame comments directed at Knight.

"Yeah, absolutely. I was pretty upset," Harper said. "I think I was right to do that. Let him hear what I have to say, let him hear it again. And so what? Couple choice words."

Could Harper be in line for a fine from Major League Baseball?

"If I do, I do. I'll pay it," Harper said. "Maybe he'll get fined, too. So we'll see."