By Tom Brennan
It didn’t take long for MLB’s new foreign substance policy to stir up some controversy.
The Nats Max Scherzer was pissed when the umpiring crew checked his hat and his glove for foreign substances twice over the first three innings last night.
Phils manager Joe Girardi, perhaps detecting that he could further fluster Scherzer, then asked the umpires to check him once more during the bottom of the fourth inning. That’s when things went sideways.
Scherzer responded to the umpires’ third inquisition by removing his cap and glove and undoing his belt. Nationals manager Davey Martinez, who had walked to the mound during the inspection, appeared upset by Girardi, and pointed at the Phillies dugout until Girardi popped out onto the field.
The game proceeded like normal until Scherzer completed his night with a fifth inning of work. Afterward, Scherzer stared down Girardi on his way to the dugout. Girardi came onto the field to object and the umpires ejected him.
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