CHICAGO – While the debate rages over pitchers using illegal substances on baseballs to improve spin rates, Twins third baseman Josh Donaldson went to Twitter a few weeks ago and claimed he had plenty of evidence to prove that there was significant cheating going on.
A slightly husky sportswriter contacted the Twins shortly after to ask when Donaldson was going to meet with the media to discuss his claims. Donaldson let it be known that he would not meet with reporters on the issue, which disappointed the intrepid reporter.
Fortunately, Donaldson relented a few days later and wondered aloud if Yankees ace Gerrit Cole was one of the culprits. Cole proceeded to shut Donaldson down in two plate appearances when the teams met on June 9.
The Twins lost 7-6 to Chicago on Tuesday in the first of a three-game series at Guaranteed Rate Field. Righthander Kenta Maeda was knocked out in the fifth inning. Nelson Cruz got thrown out trying to stretch for a double on a ball that died in the outfield grass. Jorge Polanco tried to time White Sox pitcher Lucas Giolito's delivery on a steal of second base, left too soon and was thrown out.
It was not the type of game the Twins needed to play as they face a John Wick-level impossible task to get back in the AL Central race, avoid a selloff at the trade deadline and make things interesting during the second half of the season.
There was one Twin, however, who had his timing down pat on Giolito. That was Donaldson.
Donaldson got hold of a 95 mph fastball from Giolito in the first inning and drove it into the left field stands for his 12th homer of the season. Donaldson got the Twins off to a fast start but threw kerosene on the fire as he crossed home plate.
Microphones near home plate caught Donaldson yelling, "It's not sticky anymore," as he wiped his hands as he crossed home plate.