Jorge Lopez’s night on the mound for the Twins on Wednesday was bad enough, but he found a way to make it worse once he exited with a Powerade bath.
The right-hander entered in the eighth inning against the Astros looking to preserve a shutout but instead faced four batters without recording an out, but Minnesota still cruised to an 8-2 victory.
The relief pitcher gave up two hits, yielded one walk and was charged with two runs — and he got no reprieve once he entered the visiting dugout.
Lopez plopped down on the bench and tried to cool his head off with some water, but unfortunately for him, it wasn’t water he doused himself with.
Video shows Lopez grabbing two cups that he pours on his head in quick succession, with the liquid appearing to be Powerade.
Whether it was frustration from the mistake or the failed outing, an angry Lopez punched the Powerade jug with a strong left hook.
The mishap invoked memories of a similar mistake made by Toronto Maple Leafs player Ryan O’Reilly in February.
The veteran forward, who had recently been acquired from the St. Louis Blues, grabbed a water bottle and accidentally doused himself with Biosteel sports drink before realizing his error.
Lopez, who was traded by the Orioles to the Twins last season, is looking to regain his All-Star form from 2022.
The 30-year-old hadn’t allowed a run in his first 13 appearances this season but has since spiraled.
In May, he imploded with a 9.00 ERA across 11 innings for Minnesota.
Between the sticky shower mishap and his poor counting numbers, Lopez hopes to turn things around now that the calendar has flipped to June.
On Thursday, Lopez and the Twins begin a four-game homestand vs. AL Central rival Cleveland Guardians.