Rocco Baldelli ejected for arguing pitch clock violation during game

On April 7, 2025, the Minnesota Twins played against the Kansas City Royals in a Major League Baseball game that concluded with a 4-2 defeat for the Twins. During the sixth inning, Minnesota's manager Rocco Baldelli was ejected following an argument over a pitch clock violation called against pitcher Simeon Woods Richardson. The incident arose when Woods Richardson, who struggled during the game, stepped off the mound and indicated he could not hear the PitchCom device. Despite this signal, umpire Nic Lentz called a violation, resulting in a walk for batter Jonathan India. Baldelli later expressed his frustration, arguing that Woods Richardson should not have been backed into making a pitch with minimal time remaining on the clock, especially since the clock had not fully expired. He contended that the umpires had several alternative ways to handle the situation but chose not to, ultimately leading to his outburst. Following a brief confrontation with Lentz, Baldelli was ejected from the game but continued to argue with both umpires before departing the field. The Twins' loss not only marked their seventh defeat of the season but also highlighted their struggles, as they managed only one quality start in their first ten games, ranking among the lowest in the league. Meanwhile, the Royals capitalized on their offensive opportunities, with key performances from players like Kyle Isbel, who had a home run and two RBIs. The defeat further emphasizes a challenging start for the Twins' season, stirring discussions about their performance and managerial decisions in critical game moments.