[ad_1]
MINNEAPOLIS – Sergio Romo isn’t about to keep his enthusiasm in check for anyone, so it’s no surprise that he was excited when he took out Jorge Soler looking to complete the 4- victory 2 of the Twins over the Kansas City Royals on Sunday at Target Field. Soler didn’t like the three strike call by home plate umpire John Bacon – Soler has now struck out nine times in 10 at batting in the first three games of this series – but obviously the Royals haven’t either more approved the exuberance of the Twins. .
So as the Twins celebrated a victory that improved their record to 14-8 and held onto their lead over second-place Cleveland in a Central American League game, the Royals were furious, stupid as it sounds. In the climax below of Soler calling on strikes and then opposing the call, it appears Romo is saying, “Keep talking, keep talking” to Soler.
Looks like Romo said “Keep talking!” after striking off Soler. https://t.co/ZPtawZNwoc
– Pete Grathoff (@pgrathoff) Aug 16, 2020
The Royals’ dugout was slow to leave after the game, although there appeared to be little chance of an altercation taking place. “A little bit of taunting going on,” Kansas City manager Mike Matheny told reporters. “I think what you are seeing is a result of being able to hear everything each bench is saying, and so you also can’t take the emotions out of this game, and a little outward taunting and the boys don’t l did not like. a lot. “
Jeffrey Flanagan, who covers the Royals for MLB.com, tweeted that the problems apparently started after Romo’s first pitch to second baseman Nicky Lopez was called a strike. The Kansas City dugout began to voice objections to Bacon.
Nicky Lopez: “Without fans you can hear a lot and (Romo) may have heard something (from us to the referee). There was a bullet called that was a bit down and we said it was down and he maybe thought we were talking to him. I don’t think we said anything out of place.
– Jeffrey Flanagan (@FlannyMLB) Aug 16, 2020
But things heated up after that.
After the game, the Royals, and particularly coach Vance Wilson, were furious at the Twins for the apparent taunts. Mike Matheny and Nicky Lopez said it was the result of players on both sides being able to hear everything now, and sometimes words were misinterpreted.
– Jeffrey Flanagan (@FlannyMLB) Aug 16, 2020
Lopez is right that having no fans in the fans – and a limited amount of crowd noise and music – makes it much easier for teams to hear anything that is being said at any volume. .
Twins manager Rocco Baldelli tried to play down the situation after the game. “Whatever is said on the pitch from either side you usually hear it quite clearly,” Baldelli told reporters. “It could probably create a few more problems than normal, but that being said, I haven’t seen anything from our side that concerns me a bit.”
Tensions mounted after the final launch of the Twins-Royals match.
Managers Rocco Baldelli and Mike Matheny discuss what happened. pic.twitter.com/ey55jH2WYx
– FOX Sports North (@fsnorth) Aug 16, 2020
What’s interesting is that the Royals and Twins, who have already played six games in the past 10 days, will meet at Target Field on Monday night to wrap up this series and then play three more games next weekend. in Kansas City. The Royals have won four of the first six meetings so far.
Maybe what happened on Sunday will be nothing, but familiarity breeds contempt and a guy like Romo is not going to make any adjustments in the enthusiasm he brings to the stadium. He shouldn’t either. Will the Royals realize they overreacted on Sunday, or will they hold a grudge? We will find out on Monday.
[ad_2]
Source link