Not necessarily, but arguing balls and strikes is futile. MAYBE if it was earlier in the game and he wanted to try to plant a seed with the umpire for the remaining innings, but it was a bit late for that.
So Morel would have come up and swung harder? It's the bottom of the 9th of a close game in a playoff race. I don't think "lighting a fire" is a real thing in that situation.
It's pretty pointless arguing balls and strikes. As much as I would have loved to see him blow his lid on that umpire, what does it actually accomplish?
And I think we all knew that, but got sucked into believing when the team went on their run (largely carried by one guy who probably won't be here next year). Ultimately, they are who we thought they were.