Minnesota Twins ride rule 5.06(c)(6) to win over Miami Marlins

MIAMI – It’s always a little heartwarming when a rookie makes a play that changes the outcome of a game, especially when it ends a losing streak. Emil Jimenez was that hero for the Twins on Wednesday.

OK, Jimenez is not a ballplayer, but an umpire, promoted to the majors full-time this spring. His play on Kyle Stowers’ sixth-inning line drive, however, was just as critical to preserving the Twins’ 2-1 victory over the Marlins as anything the guys in Minnesota uniforms pulled off.

While standing on the edge of the infield grass — that’s oddly important — Jimenez tried to jump out of the way of that hard-hit ball, but it clipped his left foot as it whizzed by. As Jesus Sanchez, who had opened the inning with a double, rounded third base and headed for the plate, Jimenez waved his arms and declared the play dead.

Stowers was awarded first base and credited with a single, but Sanchez … well, let’s let rule 5.06(c)(6) explain why the certain game-tying run didn’t count.

“The ball becomes dead when a fair ball touches an umpire before it has passed an infielder other than the pitcher; runners advance, if forced.”

Sanchez wasn’t forced, and though he would have scored easily, he had to return to second base. The Marlins protested, the sparce crowd at LoanDepot Park booed, but the ruling stood.

And the Twins’ three-game losing streak ended.