The Minnesota Twins are currently struggling.
Despite still leading the American League Central division, the Twins have lost four consecutive games and have fallen to the .500 mark.
On Wednesday, they fell short against the Tampa Bay Rays, losing by a final score of 2-1.
A crucial play took place in the top of the ninth inning when Michael A. Taylor stole third base.
Max Kepler was on first, but did not run towards second base when the throw went down to third.
On Thursday, Twins manager Rocco Baldelli addressed the situation and expressed disappointment in Kepler for not taking second when he was not being held on first.
Rocco Baldelli is displeased with Max Kepler after he didn’t run behind Michael Taylor’s steal of third base. Planned to address it this morning. #MNTwins pic.twitter.com/fmta8TtVwa
— DanHayesMLB (@DanHayesMLB) June 8, 2023
Baldelli stated that he believed the Rays were actually giving Kepler second base by not holding him on at first.
Perhaps with Kepler on second, the Twins would have been able to score more than just one run on Royce Lewis’ single, which scored Taylor and tied the game.
Minnesota ultimately lost in walk-off fashion, as Randy Arozarena hit a game-winning home run in the bottom of the ninth to give the Rays an important win while dropping the Twins down to the .500 mark.
Kepler went 1-for-3 in Wednesday night’s game at Tropicana Field, picking up a single.
But if he had been on second base instead of still on first, it is possible that Arozarena’s home run simply would have tied the game, forcing the Rays to add another run to beat the Twins.
Baldelli was clearly frustrated by Kepler’s decision not to run and chose to address the situation on Thursday.
NEXT: Royce Lewis Comments On His Thrilling Return
