For the second consecutive night, and the fourth time this season, the Minnesota Twins outperformed the Kansas City Royals. The Twins secured a 4-2 victory on Tuesday, crucial for maintaining positive momentum and narrowing the gap with the Royals in the AL Central standings. Initially holding a substantial lead over Minnesota, the Royals’ margin has now diminished to three games.
While a sweep wouldn’t be enough for the Twins to surpass the Royals, the series underscores the superior performance of the former despite the current divisional lead. Although it’s only May, tensions are already escalating between both teams and their respective fan bases. This tension was palpable after an unfortunate collision occurred at first base.
Vinnie Pasquantino was forced to exit the game due to a lower left leg contusion sustained when he collided knees with Byron Buxton, who was sprinting to secure an infield single. Fortunately, Buxton emerged unharmed, a relief considering his history of injuries. However, Pasquantino wasn’t as fortunate, requiring his departure from the game and subsequently being labeled as day-to-day with his injury. The collision didn’t seem intentional, a sentiment supported by Buxton’s visible concern afterward, which aligns with his character.
Royals first baseman Vinnie Pasquantino is exiting with a foot/lower leg injury after Byron Buxton beat out an infield single. Buxton put his arm around Pasquantino before he walked off the field.
— Bobby Nightengale (@nightengalejr) May 29, 2024
Despite this, Royals fans allowed emotions to dictate their reactions, resulting in peculiar behavior on social media.
Byron Buxton is accused by Royals supporters of purposefully hurting Vinnie Pasquantino.
Some fans of the Royals expressed their dissatisfaction with the game and the unfortunate injury suffered by Pasquantino, while others took their frustration to a more hostile level with comments directed at Buxton.
Throw at Byron buxton
— Goatchi Agbaji (@GoatchiAgbaji) May 29, 2024
Dirty-ass play by Byron Buxton there
— It's Baseball Season (@DadBodTee) May 29, 2024
I will punch Byron Buxton if I see him dirty ass play
— max n' cheez (@maxthomm) May 29, 2024
Pasquantino holds a significant role in Kansas City’s lineup, and initially, his injury appeared more severe than it turned out to be. If the situation were reversed, Twins fans would likely have been similarly distressed about losing Buxton but might have refrained from advocating for Pasquantino’s injury as retaliation.
Don’t care if that was intentional or not Buxton should get a fastball to the spine
— 643Royals (@643royals) May 29, 2024
Throw at Byron buxton
— Goatchi Agbaji (@GoatchiAgbaji) May 29, 2024
This is where things took a darker turn.
While it’s understandable to feel upset about a player’s injury, it was disheartening to witness basic decency being overshadowed by the heat of the moment. There’s nothing in Buxton’s character or track record to suggest he would intentionally harm another player or engage in unsportsmanlike conduct.
It’s natural to have an emotional response to an injury, but there’s a distinction between expressing frustration and crossing into inappropriate behavior. Unfortunately, that line was crossed on Tuesday night, exacerbating an already regrettable situation.
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