Milwaukee Brewers manager Pat Murphy wanted to send a message to shortstop Cooper Pratt after the rookie failed to run hard out of the box following a fifth-inning popup in Tuesday night's road game against the New York Mets.
"You've got to be locked in if you're going to play at this level," Murphy, the two-time defending National League Manager of the Year, said after the Brewers' 3-2 loss in 10 innings.
He added: "You'd better run."
Pratt's fly ball managed to fall in between three Mets fielders in shallow right field and briefly bounced past right fielder Carson Benge, resulting in a one-out single with Milwaukee leading 1-0. But moments after he rounded first and returned to the bag, Pratt looked toward the Brewers' dugout and discovered Murphy was yanking him from the game for a pinch runner.
For Murphy, the issue wasn't so much Pratt's lack of hustle as it was his lack of focus. That play, which came two innings after Pratt failed to lay down a bunt with two runners on, was unacceptable for a team with the best record in baseball (81-31) and in serious pursuit of its first World Series appearance since 1982.
"He popped a ball up to right field and didn't run, and the ball landed and stopped," Murphy said. "He would've easily got to second base. What could've happened after that, I'm not sure, but you can't have a guy not understanding that."
Pratt offered no arguments afterward and acknowledged he'd made a mistake.
"There is no excuse," he said. "I should've ran hard no matter if it's foul or fair, if it's an out. I should've been busting my butt to get to second base. Some of the guys pulled me aside and let me know, 'Hey, this is how we do it here,' and I know that. It won't happen again."
Pratt, who turned 22 last week, made his major league debut on June 16, about 2½ months after the Brewers signed him to an eight-year, $50.75 million contract.
"I love the kid, and I believe in the kid immensely," Murphy said. "He's got to be a player that does those things. He's not going to hit 30 homers at this point in his career. He's a great defender and a really capable offensive player, and we can't have that."
Pratt looked surprised as he ran off the field. Television cameras caught him talking in the dugout to veteran teammate Sal Frelick.
"There's a certain way to play here and I may be new, but it doesn't matter," said Pratt, selected by Milwaukee in the sixth round of the 2023 amateur draft. "It's the way we're right through the organization from rookie ball to the big leagues. And I didn't do that. And I will do that. No excuses."
Pratt is batting .259 with two homers, 18 RBIs and 10 stolen bases in 49 games for the Brewers, who are seeking a fourth straight NL Central crown.
Information from The Associated Press was used in this report.