Phillies manager Joe Girardi wasn’t having it with reporters

The Philadelphia Phillies had a bizarre Sunday afternoon. Playing against the Toronto Blue Jays in Dunedin, Florida, in mid-May was perhaps the least crazy aspect of the 10-8 defeat.

The Joe Girardi-led team started the game with zero players available on their bench, with Bryce Harper, J.T. Realmuto and Didi Gregorius all sidelined with injuries but not placed on the injured list. The lone bench player slated to be available was catcher Rafael Marchan, however he entered the lineup at the last minute with Andrew Knapp being a late scratch.

The Phillies quickly fell behind 8-0 , with No. 5 starter Chase Anderson allowing eight hits, seven runs (all earned), and one walk in just 1 1/3 innings. The Phillies rallied all the way back in the ninth, and had the tying run on second base, however the injured Harper — who entered the game in the sixth to replace Scott Kingery — struck out swinging for the final out.

The last thing Phillies manager Joe Girardi wanted to do was talk to reporters.

In between, Girardi appeared to get into a verbal confrontation with Jean Segura in the dugout, perhaps related to him missing a short hopper. After Saturday evening’s loss, the skipper told reporters that he just wants his second baseman to catch the ball, adding “that’s all we need to do.”

The 2009 World Series-winning skipper clearly was not having it with reporters after the game. Here is a transcript of the interview:

Did something happen to Scott Kingery?

Yeah, he got kind of dizzy from banging off the wall. He will have to be evaluated, obviously, as we move forward the next couple of days.

You didn’t have J.T., Didi, or Knapp — what happened with him before the game?

Rib cage. About 20 minutes before the game.

Did you guys try to get anyone else here today, before the game?

No. We did not.

Why not? Just out of curiosity.

It was our decision.

Can you tell us what happened in the dugout?

It was a bench conversation meant for the bench.

Were you—

It was a bench conversation meant for the bench.

Joe, how concerned with you about Bryce swinging the bat in the ninth inning? Clearly, he could not swing or throw before that.

Yeah, I was concerned. We talked about some different things. I talked to Bryce and he said he wanted to try and he was OK. So, I let him do it. I trust the player in that sense and his body. I thought he had some good swings. He had a good at-bat that last bat. We just came up a hit short.

Did you talk to him afterward?

No. I am sure he is a little sore.

You said it was a ‘conversation for the bench,’ but do you think that matter is resolved, or do you still have to figure that out?

That is my job.

When Harper went up and bunted, was he instructed not to swing, or did he say, ‘I can play, but I can’t swing’?

No, he was bunting for a base hit. We talked about it. It’s a good idea to try to do it. We didn’t know where we would be later on. It was recommended by us.

How about the way he threw the ball in the outfield?

We just told him to get it in there.

You said the Segura thing is ‘your job’ to—

You can ask all you want. You got everything you are going to get about it. Alright? I’m done with it.

I know you are doing your job, but that’s it.

Conversation or confrontation?

Next question.

How about the optics of all of this?

Next question.

From a baseball—

I’m not going to talk about it. I’m not going to talk about it. Next question. You got a baseball question? Ask me a baseball question.

That is a baseball question. That was about the baseball team.

Anyone else?

How concerned are you about Chase Anderson? Spencer had four good innings in Lehigh Valley today and pitched well down there.

He didn’t throw his best today. We didn’t help him defensively, either. So, he pitched a pretty good game his last game. He got behind in counts and gave up some home runs, but we didn’t help him defensively.

How concerning was the defense today, without asking directly about Jean?

We got to play better. That’s the bottom line.

Lost in this whole thing is an incredible day by your shortstop.

Yeah, a big day for Nick. The first home run is always special as a hitter. He backed it up with another one and another two RBI after that. So, a big day for Nick.

It was a weird day for the Blue Jays defensively, too, where plays that should have been made weren’t made.

It’s tricky with the sun and the wind. It’s tricky. I do believe we are capable of playing better defense. I do.

Looking ahead

The great thing about baseball is, there is always tomorrow to bounce back. The Phillies have off on Monday, but will return home to kick off a six-game home stand against the Miami Marlins and Boston Red Sox.

Hopefully, the team is in a better mindset and is healthier by then.