The end of the San Diego Padres and San Francisco Giants’ battle on Tuesday was that of a weird instant classic — a walk-off walk win for the Giants.
But before the bases could even get loaded up for the Giants, every position player for the Padres had to be in place in the field. That includes, you know, Juan Soto, San Diego’s best player. For whatever reason, Soto took so long to return to the field between innings.
He was so late that he even drew the ire of the broadcasters, who pondered whether Soto was breaking some kind of rule:
Juan Soto was just a tad bit late to take the field 😬 pic.twitter.com/ZDdj4zSQZl
— SF Giants on NBCS (@NBCSGiants) June 21, 2023
I don’t know what Soto got up to during his break, but it had to be pretty unusual to stop the game, draw criticism from the broadcast, and even see Giants manager Gabe Kapler advocate for his team.
In a way, the Giants later winning on their walk-off walk was fitting, given how long everyone had to wait for Soto.
This was how Twitter reacted to Soto's late return
One time in college summer ball, I called a “porta potty delay” walk-off win.
Tie score. Bottom 9. Outfielder in the bathroom. No subs left. Ump said, “ball game.” https://t.co/OHgsEo6Vqy
— Connor Onion (@ConnorOnion) June 21, 2023
Juan Soto with a Lamar Jackson moment 🤝 https://t.co/WqCZwY6ngV pic.twitter.com/9Ksl5IypSc
— Nick Cothrel (@NickCothrel) June 21, 2023
something tells me pitch clock rule writers didnt take fielders into account https://t.co/StjLCxulQ3
— ange (@mxgirl00) June 21, 2023
There’s no way Juan Soto wasn’t in the bathroom. 😭🤣pic.twitter.com/rtp4FKPsWC
— Foul Territory (@FoulTerritoryTV) June 21, 2023
So was Juan Soto pulling a Lamar Jackson?? 😂😂 https://t.co/slE6xyLEj4
— Divided Podcast (@DividedPodcast2) June 21, 2023
Pulled a Lamar Jackson😂
— Connor Cramer (@Connor_Cramer3) June 21, 2023
"Is this the big leagues" is pretty funny
— BetOpenly.com (@BetOpenly) June 21, 2023
— Roger (@Roger774501171) June 21, 2023
— Neal David Silvester (@nealdsilvester) June 21, 2023
