Chicago Cubs shortstop Javier Baez was benched by manager David Ross after forgetting how many outs there were and getting doubled off first base in the fourth inning of Monday’s 4-0 loss to the Cleveland Indians.
“We have to make sure we’re focused and locked in during the game,” Ross said afterward. “Sometimes our frustrations can distract us a little bit.”
Baez said he was “surprised” when he was pulled but accepted the punishment.
“I never want to be out of the lineup,” he said. “I respect his decision. He told me why it happened and I said, ‘OK, it’s your decision.'”
Baez, 28, was on first base with one out when Anthony Rizzo hit a fly ball to left fielder Eddie Rosario. The Cubs shortstop was rounding second and headed to third base as Rosario caught the ball, easily getting it back into the infield to double off Baez.
“I lost the outs,” Baez explained. “I [thought] the whole time that it was two outs. I ran like it was two outs.”
