Twins outfielder Max Kepler leaves the game against the Rays after suffering neck issues

Max Kepler He felt his neck tighten when he was in the on-deck circle in the first inning Thursday, and made the decision he wouldn’t try to swing after that. Royce Lewis Walking drawing.

“I didn’t want to swing there, and I feel like it’s too late to ask for a replacement,” Kepler said after the Twins lost 7-6 in 10 innings. “So, I went with the knockout option.”

Kepler attempted to hit with two runs and a runner on first. It was his second time in the play, where he pulled the ball to first base, and tried to beat off a throw from the Tampa Bay Rays first baseman. Yandy Diaz To start the jar Zach Little With headfirst slide.

Kepler, who is expected to avoid remaining on the injured list, was slow to stand up after being called up. After a quick visit from the head coach Nick is a barista And the manager Rocco BaldelliKepler walked to the dugout, and was replaced by Manuel Margot.

“It’s a little rough when I look to my right, but the doctors and trainers said it’s just muscle and it should go away in a couple of days,” said Keibler, who will travel with the twins to Oakland on their upcoming road trip.

He said this was the first time Kepler had experienced this type of neck stiffness, although it didn’t stop him from sliding around in his head.

“I think the whole competitive aspect took over,” he said. “It wasn’t a cramp. It was like, ‘I don’t know, I’ve never felt it before.’ But my right side just shut down.”

Jackson snapped

Twins diluted Jay Jackson He was designated for assignment following Thursday’s 7-6 loss to the Rays. Jackson allowed three runs, two homers, and a walk against the six hitters he faced while recording two hits.

This is the second time Jackson, who signed a one-year, $1.5 million contract in the offseason, has been designated for assignment this season. The Twins have a week to get him off waivers or traded.

The left-handed twin is expected to remember Cody Funderburkwho gave up three hits and one run in eight innings at Class AAA with 14 strikeouts.

Hill problems

after Joe Ryan He gave up one run in six innings on Wednesday, and one of the top things on his mind was the target mound.

The beginning of the rays Taj BradleyRyan said he left a “horrible hole” in the dirt with his left foot, the leg he used to walk with, during his birth.

“It was honestly the worst I’ve ever been through,” Ryan said. “I think there was a travel ball game when I was a senior in high school, and it was the worst hill I’ve ever faced in San Diego. It took me back to that moment.”

The deep hole in the mound affected pitchers differently based on the length of their strides. Twins diluted Josh Staumontwho walked three batters in the eighth inning, was seen after his second pitch. Joan Duran He said he slipped twice when he pitched in the ninth inning.

“The initiate must exert a lot of force on the ground,” said the Savior. Cole Sands. “It was a big hole there. For me, fortunately, I had a little shorter stride, so I couldn’t reach it all the way. My toes were kind of able to reach it. The first couple pitches, I was like, ‘Oh!’ “

etc.

• Royce Lewis He picked on a first-pitch curveball from Bradley, a pitch he has thrown sparingly this season and only twice on Wednesday. “I didn’t even know he had it [a curveball]”I’m glad I pushed that for one song,” Lewis said. Ben Rortveit, the catcher, says, “Did you know he had a curveball?” I said: No, I did not. Sometimes you just see the ball, hit the ball. I feel like this is the time when you become the best version of yourself as a batsman. That’s been my approach lately.”

• Brooks Lee He hit two homers and drove in five runs, Valner died Hitting his 17th homer of the season, the Saints extended their winning streak to nine with an 8-5 win over Toledo at CHS Stadium. The winning streak is the Saints’ record as a Class AAA franchise. Lee hit a go-ahead three-run homer in a four-run fifth, then added a two-run shot in the next inning. David Festa He gave up four runs and five hits, including two homers, in 5⅔ innings, striking out six and walking none.