The Twins are swept off the field by the Braves and still have no chance against the teams of the National League

After a strikeout, Alcala took over and allowed an infield single, then struck out Laureano on a dribble down the third-base line. But Atlanta's ninth batter, third baseman Luke Williams, hit a fly ball to the warning track that left fielder Manuel Margot bounced off his glove for a two-run double.

“I know that was a move I should have made,” Margot said through interpreter Mauricio Ortiz. “I'm not going to make any excuses. I didn't play it right. It took longer than I expected.”

Unfortunately, it was Margot who also made the most notable play on the bases.

The outfielder hit the ball into the right-center field wall to start the Twins' tenuous sixth-inning comeback. When Ryan Jeffers followed with a sharp line drive to right, Margot froze to make sure the ball got through the infield, then seemed to slow down as he approached third base. But Margot suddenly sped up when he saw third-base coach Tommy Watkins waving at him.

“To be honest, it was quite a surprise that they gave me the go-ahead signal,” said Margot, who was easily taken out of the game at the plate. “As a player, you try to do everything you can to run.”

Jose Miranda singled Jeffers to second base, and with two outs, Willi Castro hit a ground ball up the middle. Braves shortstop Orlando Arcia lunged for the ball and caught it with his glove, but the ball bounced past him into center field, allowing Jeffers to briefly tie the game.