CLEVELAND -- Cincinnati Reds manager Bryan Price was ejected before Saturday's 2-1 loss to Cleveland had even begun.
Price was thrown out by crew chief Jim Reynolds after the lineup cards were exchanged. The two had a lengthy heated argument that continued as the Indians players took the field. Reynolds then threw out Price.
The discussion continued before Price finally went to the dugout and returned to the clubhouse. It's unclear what led to the argument, although several Reds players were unhappy with plate umpire Manny Gonzalez's strike zone Friday night.
"It was just a hangover from yesterday, that's all," Price said. "I was given fair warning that I would be ejected. There were just some things left unsaid yesterday that were said today."
The ejection was the second of the season for Price and the fourth of his career.
Center fielder Billy Hamilton said everyone in the Reds' dugout knew Price was going to have his say before the second game of the interleague series.
"I wouldn't say we were enjoying it, but we definitely were watching it," said Hamilton, smiling. "We were all watching it."
Cincinnati has lost a season-high seven straight games and is 18-24, its worst record of the year.
"I noticed he wasn't in the dugout, but I didn't know why," said Anthony DeSclafani, who struck out six and scattered three hits in a no-decision. "I thought it might have been a family emergency or something like that until the guys told me he had been ejected.
"That's obviously not something you see every day."