WASHINGTON -- Nationals manager Dusty Baker rarely shows frustration, maintaining a calm demeanor regardless of the situation. But he was fired up when Ryan Raburn struck out in the sixth inning of the Nationals' 5-4 loss to the Cubs on Thursday, believing Raburn fouled the ball off into the dirt.
It was Baker's first ejection in two years with the Nationals.
"It was a bad call," Baker said, "and there's no way I should have been ejected."
First, Baker asked home-plate umpire Chad Fairchild his opinion, but he deferred to first-base umpire David Rackley. Baker left the dugout and argued with Rackley as fans at Nationals Park cheered and chanted "Dusty!"
Rackley said he was too far away to tell what happened, according to Baker. Baker said he was ejected because Rackley claimed he told him, "You can't see anyway."
Chris Speier, who served as the Nationals' interim manager when Baker was away from the team earlier this season, resumed the role without Baker in the dugout.