Lawrie apologizes to Jays after dugout argument with manager

Brett Lawrie has apologized to the Blue Jays after an angry dugout exchange with manager John Gibbons.

Lawrie was fired up after teammate Adam Lind was held by third base coach Luis Rivera on Lawrie’s fly ball during the ninth inning of Sunday’s 6-5 victory over the Baltimore Orioles.

When he returned to the dugout, Lawrie and Gibbons yelled at each other as Jose Bautista stepped in to talk down the third baseman from Langley, B.C. The argument became a moot point shortly after when Munenori Kawasaki hit a two-run double to win the game for Toronto.

Lawrie declined to speak to media before Monday’s game against the Atlanta Braves, but he addressed his teammates privately. Gibbons said he’d spoken to Lawrie and considered the matter settled.

“It’s over with. We dealt with it. We’ve just moved on,” said Gibbons.

Bautista also tried to downplay the exchange, and repeated he believed Lawrie had been confused by what was happening on the field.

“Everyone noticed his reaction was not the best,” said Bautista. “But I talked to him and I understood that he got confused a little bit. Caught up in the moment, that’s it. It’s in the past. It got addressed. Shouldn’t be any problem moving forward.”

Lawrie, who is batting .199 with five homers and 14 RBI in 36 games, is known for his fiery temper and all-out style of play that has sometimes gotten him into trouble since making his major-league debut with the Blue Jays in 2011.

“His intensity is what makes him good. So I don’t think that he should not play with intensity or dial it down,” said Bautista.

It was an eventful series for Lawrie. The 23-year-old was also ejected from Friday’s game following a strikeout when he dumped his helmet and tossed his batting gloves in a manner that umpire Dan Bellino took offence to.

Gibbons was also ejected for coming to Lawrie’s defence. On Monday, Gibbons reiterated he didn’t think his argument with Lawrie was a big deal.

“I like Brett. I’m glad we have him,” said Gibbons. “I think he’s going to be a good player, a real good player for a lot of years. It just blew up on him yesterday but it’s over with as far as I’m concerned.”