Oneil Cruz benched after critical baserunning error

In the United States, during a game on June 25, 2025, the Pittsburgh Pirates faced off against the Milwaukee Brewers. Notably, Oneil Cruz, the Pirates' star outfielder, experienced a significant baserunning mistake that led to his removal from the game. In a crucial seventh-inning moment, with the Pirates trailing 7-3, Cruz grounded into a 6-4-3 double play but failed to sprint down the line after the force play at second base, mistakenly believing that it was the third out of the inning. This lapse in focus resulted in the Pirates manager Don Kelly deciding to replace him in the eighth inning. Kelly addressed the situation by citing Cruz's energy and effort as lacking during the play, emphasizing the high standards expected from players on the team. The decision was made clear to Cruz, who accepted the manager's reasoning and acknowledged his mistake, stating it was his fault for losing track of the outs. Additionally, Cruz has been struggling at the plate this month, recording a poor batting average of .156 and striking out 31 times. Despite these struggles, he insisted that his offensive issues were unrelated to his baserunning error, underlining that he always gives his all on the field. Following this incident, Pirates management indicated that they would have a conversation with Cruz to ensure he understands the expectations moving forward, highlighting the importance of maintaining focus not only offensively but also defensively and on the bases. After this match, the Pirates fell to a record of 32-48 for the season following their 9-3 loss to the Brewers.