Rocco Baldelli rips umpires after controversial call led to Twins' loss

Jun 17, 2022; Phoenix, Arizona, USA; Minnesota Twins manager Rocco Baldelli against the Arizona Diamondbacks at Chase Field. Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

Rocco Baldelli rips umpires after controversial call led to Twins' extra-innings loss to Blue Jays

By Mike Santa Barbara | Last updated 8/7/22

Minnesota Twins manager Rocco Baldelli can count on a call from the league office.

In the 10th inning of the Twins' 3-2 loss to the Toronto Blue Jays, Baldelli went irate after an overturned call at home plate led to the winning run.

Twins got screwed on that call today. Replay in Little League Baseball works well…in the professional leagues it gets mucked up far too often. When Rocco Baldelli goes off, you know you messed up big time. pic.twitter.com/DLwx5dJK9g
— Stirrups Now! (@uniformcritic) August 8, 2022

Tied 2-2, the Twins nailed Blue Jays' Whit Merrifield at home plate attempting to score on a sacrifice fly. However, after a review, umpires overturned the call, ruling that Minnesota backstop Gary Sanchez blocked home plate before gaining control of the ball, making Merrifield safe.

Here's the play that eventually had Rocco Baldelli wanting to burn the place down. Called out at the plate, overturned on a Blue Jays challenge. pic.twitter.com/Mhxm7hSbxl
— Casey Drottar (@CDrottar19) August 7, 2022

Ejected for his outburst, Baldelli didn't hold back after the game.

"It's one of the worst moments I think we've seen of umpiring in any game I've ever been a part of in baseball," Baldelli said. "I think it was pathetic what just played out."

The Twins still lead the AL Central with a 57-51 record. Though, their lead in the division is dwindling. The Cleveland Guardians (56-52) sit just a game back, while the Chicago White Sox (55-53) are two games out.

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