Phillies news and rumors 6/13: Rob Thomson on Torey Lovullo confronting J.T. Realmuto: ‘I wouldn’t do that’

J.T. Realmuto was the center of attention in more ways than one on Monday. (Randy Litzinger/Icon Sportswire)

J.T. Realmuto became the first catcher to hit for the cycle since 2011 and the first Phillies to do so since 2004 and it still wasn’t the most peculiar thing in which he was involved on Monday night against the Diamondbacks.

No, that distinction would belong to the kerfuffle between Arizona manager Torey Lovullo and — well, everyone, but we’re not really sure why — in the bottom of the third inning.

Phillies pitcher Matt Strahm had hit D-Backs rookie phenom Corbin Carroll for the second time in the ballgame. Each instance was quite obviously unintentional, but that didn’t stop Lovullo from picking a fight with just about everyone on the field and getting himself ejected as a result.

As Lovullo was arguing with home plate umpire Vic Carapazza, he directed some of his attention at Realmuto before the benches briefly cleared. Watch the full highlight here.

Here’s what Strahm, Rob Thomson and Lovullo each had to say about the interaction after the game.

Lovullo got the last laugh — a wild sequence ended with a Diamondbacks win despite Realmuto’s cycle, as the Snakes improved to 41-25, nine games better than the Phillies — but it was an odd look nonetheless.

Must-Read (Or Watch) Phillies Content

Stephanie Apstein of Sports Illustrated wrote a feature about Nick Castellanos, his improved defense and his new “sense of peace.”
There’s a new episode of Phillies Therapy, with Paul Boye and Matt Gelb.
Phillies Nation‘s Ty Daubert wrote about the Clearwater Threshers already clinching a playoff spot.
Here’s some more context on J.T. Realmuto’s drought-ending cycle, from Phillies Nation‘s Destiny Lugardo.
The Phillies’ Fourth of July hats dropped. Thoughts?

If you’re a High Hopes listener, you know just how much Realmuto’s cycle meant to one Phillies fan in particular.

Former Phillie Nation

Nick Pivetta had a bizarre line for the Red Sox on Monday: 2/3 IP, 0 H, 2 R, 0 ER, 3 BB. He recorded two outs to start the 10th against the Rockies, then intentionally walked one and unintentionally walked two others to earn the loss. His ERA is 5.40.
Connor Seabold (4.70) threw six innings of one-run ball for Colorado in that same game.
Those two, of course, were the return in the trade that brought Heath Hembree and Brandon Workman to Philadelphia.