Lovullo regrets remarks that provoked Molina: 'I have the utmost respect for Yadier'

Arizona Diamondbacks manager Torey Lovullo has some regrets about what he said to provoke St. Louis Cardinals catcher Yadier Molina, leading to a bench-clearing brawl Sunday.

''I used a poor choice of words and he (Molina) took offense to it,'' Lovuollo told reporters, according to Steve Overbey of The Associated Press. ''I wish I could take back what I said. It really wasn't directed at him. I was just frustrated over what I was watching.''

Lovullo was ejected by home plate umpire Tim Timmons in the second inning for arguing balls and strikes after David Peralta and A.J. Pollock were rung up on pitches that appeared to be low in the zone. After pleading his case with the umpire, Lovullo directed further comments toward Molina. The catcher immediately lost his cool, shoving Timmons and confronting Lovullo.

"I don't want to say he (Molina) is getting more (strike calls) than anyone else, because it's part of the game,'' Lovullo said. ''I have the utmost respect for Yadier Molina. He's one of the best catchers the game has ever seen. It was more of me saying, I respect him on that level, that he's getting special things because he's that good. That's where I was coming from.''

Molina, though, was far from impressed.

''He said a bad word to me and I reacted that way,'' Molina said. ''He called me (it) twice. You can't allow that.''

Timmons defended the veteran's reaction.

''When Lovullo got to me after I had ejected him, he made a comment that was aggressive that Yadi overheard, so that's why Yadi reacted the way that he did,'' Timmons said. ''I think at that point Yadi became agitated, which was understandable. (The contact) was just incidental.''

Major League Baseball will review the incident because of Molina's contact with Timmons, which could result in a fine or a suspension. The two clubs next meet July 2 in Arizona. The Diamondbacks came out of Sunday's game with a 4-1 victory.