With the Twins down a run with a runner on base in the bottom of the tenth, many fans considered it was time to get Byron Buxton into the game.
But the hard-hitting center fielder was still on the bench, as he was all game long.
Instead, rookie Jose Miranda, less than a month into his major league career and only two hits in his last six games, grounded out.
Nick Gordon, who had two hits earlier in the game, went to the plate next and struck out to end it.
The runner left on base was the 12th stranded by the Twins in another frustrating night trying to score runs.
A night when Buxton was scheduled to take off for rest.
And he was going to stay off, no matter what.
"Today Buck was down, he wasn't going to get in the game and get loose and fire up and get in the cage," said Twins manager Rocco Baldelli, who had been tossed from the game in the top of the tenth for arguing.
"It would take a while for him to get ready to go out there," said Baldelli, emphasizing that the decision not to play Buxton was made early, and it stuck.
"We weren't going to use him today."
Really?
"It wasn't going to be an option."
Even if a key hit can turn the team's fortunes?
"When we make the decision before the game, we don't change what we're going to do once the game gets going."
We?
"We discussed that as a group, but ultimately, I make that decision," Baldelli said.
Buxton signed a massive contract extension in the off-season, conveniently right before the owners began a lockout that ultimately shortened Spring Training and delayed Opening Day.
The deal has incentives based on Buxton being able to stay on the field, given his injury-filled past.
The StarTribune reported Sunday that team officials figure if Buxton can play at or near full strength for 100 games during the regular season, it would the best chance that he'd be healthy and productive throughout a postseason run.
Through Saturday, the Twins had played 34 games.
Buxton has appeared in 22 of them, in center field and in the DH role, missing time with injuries to his right knee and hip.
The Twins have placed 16 players on the injured list so far this season, but Buxton hasn't been one of them.
So he was technically available in a close game against a division rival where the Twins stranded multiple runners, including the potential tying run in the final at-bats.
But the man in charge said no when the game started, when it was going, and when he ended.
There was also no comment from Buxton after Saturday's loss, but he discussed his playing status following Sunday's win.
"For me, as long as I can play and get out there and contribute to help the team out, that's what I'm going to do," said Buxton, adding that he needs to know his limits playing on a sore right knee.
"Some days are better than others, but that's baseball, that's your body," he said. "You have to listen to your body, and that's something I'm starting to do a little bit more, which is allowing me to stay on the field longer. It's just trusting the process and keep doing what we're doing."
Buxton went 1-for-4 on Sunday, the one hit was his team-leading 11th home run of the season.
