WASHINGTON—Manager Charlie Manuel was ejected from the Phillies' game against the Nationals in the first inning after an unusual disputed call.

Washington's Bryce Harper was batting Friday with one runner on when he checked his swing on Kyle Kendrick's 3-1 pitch. Plate umpire Rob Drake called a ball, and Harper trotted to first. Catcher Carlos Ruiz pointed toward third base, in the hopes of appealing to an umpire.

One problem: There was no umpire at third base.

The umpiring crew was a man short—Joe West missed the game because of illness—and the umpire who normally would be near third had shifted to be near second while there was a runner on first.

Manuel came out to argue, and was tossed by Drake.