Twins’ Rocco Baldelli ejected after Yankees’ Domingo Germán was allowed to stay in game

New York Yankees pitcher Domingo Germán was checked for substances on his hands during his game against the Minnesota Twins on Saturday, causing controversy after an extended pause. Germán had already pitched three perfect innings before being checked by the umpires, including crew chief James Hoye, who examined his hands for several minutes. The pitcher was told to wash his hands, and upon returning to the mound in the fourth inning, he was checked again. Following a long discussion with the umpiring crew, Germán was allowed to remain in the game.

Twins manager Rocco Baldelli argued against Germán’s continued participation in the game but did not succeed, ultimately getting ejected after his protest. Germán went on to have an excellent game, pitching six shutout innings and matching his career-high 10 strikeouts. The Twins managed to score one run in the seventh inning against Michael King, but it wasn’t enough to make up the deficit. Germán’s performance led the Yankees to a 7-1 victory over the Twins.

Substance checks have become a major topic of conversation in baseball recently, with pitchers facing increased scrutiny after allegations that some have been using illegal substances on the ball to enhance their performance. League officials have introduced stricter enforcement measures, resulting in more frequent substance checks during games. Critics suggest that these checks slow down the game and disrupt the momentum of pitchers who might have nothing to hide.

Despite the controversy surrounding his checks, Germán delivered a strong performance for the Yankees, pitching an impressive shutout into the sixth inning. He had to settle for six and one-third innings, giving up one run, three hits, and two base on balls in total. With the win, the Yankees went above .500 on the season, improving to 24-23, while the Twins fell further down the standings to 18-30. The Yankees are continuing to contend for a place in the playoffs, and if Germán keeps pitching at this level, he could be an essential part of the team’s success.



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