Yadier Molina explains why he went after Torey Lovullo

April 8, 2018

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Yadier Molina explained after Sunday’s 4-1 loss to the Arizona Diamondbacks why he went after opposing manager Torey Lovullo during a bench-clearing incident.

Lovullo came out of the dugout to protest a strike three call on AJ Pollock in the second. While complaining about the call to umpire Tim Timmons, Lovullo mentioned the St. Louis Cardinals catcher by calling him a bad word. That set Molina off, leading him to be restrained by Timmons and then Cardinals manager Mike Matheny while going after Lovullo.

* A.J. Pollock and David Peralta yelling at the ump.
* Torey Lovullo's first ejection of the season.
* Yadier Molina going after Lovullo.
* Both dugouts/bullpens clear.

"This all instigated by a horrible strike 3 call again by Tim Timmons." — Bob Brenly. pic.twitter.com/MWfftMwV2t

— FOX Sports Arizona (@FOXSPORTSAZ) April 8, 2018

After the game, Molina said that Lovullo called him a “motherf—er” twice.

Yadier Molina “He (Torey Lovullo) called me a mother f—— twice…. If you’re going to call somebody that you better be ready to fight.” #12Sports pic.twitter.com/zgaRQwdDji

— Cameron Cox (@CamCox12) April 8, 2018

Molina said that Lovullo should not be allowed to talk to a player or umpire that way and hoped Lovullo might be fined.

On Torey Lovullo calling Yadier Molina what the catcher called "a bad word," Molina told reporters:

"You can't allow that. I hope that MLB sees this and hope they can fine this guy. You can't talk to a player like that. Or an umpire. You've got to be professional."

— Joe Trezza (@JoeTrezz) April 8, 2018

Molina avoided ejection despite bumping Timmons, who later called the contact “incidental.” Lovullo was conciliatory after the game and expressed regret for his behavior.