TORONTO – Detroit Tigers manager A.J. Hinch tried to offer some perspective to rookie Kevin McGonigle.
“I was talking to McGonigle on the steps right before one of his at bats,” Hinch said after the Tigers’ 6-5rally over the Toronto Blue Jays on Monday, Sept. 14. “I was like, ‘You know, it’s only two-nothing.’
“It felt like were down five and six runs because of how many baserunners they had and how few we had. But you find a way to have something positive happen.”
That’s what the Tigers did in Monday, and that’s what they are doing right now: Finding a way to have something positive happen.
On Monday, the Tigers were dominated for two-thirds of a game by Toronto pitcher
José Soriano; he took a perfect game into the sixth inning and a no-hitter into the seventh. Then the Tigers came alive, crafting an amazing comeback – not once but twice – to win their fifth straight this month.
“It’s all-encompassing grit,” said rookie outfielder Max Clark, who knocked in a pair of runs and scored once himself.
Or as Hinch said: “It’s a good character win. We had to go through a lot. That game took a lot of twists and turns.”
So, where does that leave the Tigers?
Well, in an increasingly interesting situation.
The Blue Jays came into this game one game behind Cleveland for the American League's third and final wild-card spot, and they were on a hot streak after winning 11 of their last 17 games. Instead, it was the Tigers (71-79) gaining a game on the Cleveland Guardians. With the Guardians' loss at home to the AL Central-leading Chicago White Sox, and the Tigers' win, Detroit enters Tuesday just 4½ games out of a playoff spot, with 12 games to play.
Obviously, the odds are against the Tigers. Incredibly long odds.
But they aren’t done. Not yet.
“This is why you play,” said Beau Brieske, who was brilliant in relief (two perfect innings, with two strikeouts). “You just want to keep building on it. When the team comes together like that, that’s the type of baseball you will always remember.”
And this was certainly a game to remember. I mean, not counting a performance by Troy Melton that he summed up succinctly: “Yeah, I just thought I was bad.”
If nothing else, these guys hold themselves accountable. Give them credit for that.
But this was a win, dang it. And even though Melton struggled while getting into a bunch of trouble, he was elated with the result.
“It’s awesome,” Melton said, after giving up two runs in 2⅔ innings. “It’s super cool – seeing the fight that’s still left in this group. I mean, we are not technically out of it yet. We gotta win as many games as possible. If we could make a run at this, it would be one of the coolest things of all time.”
So, that’s what the Tigers are still playing for. Trying to put together one of the coolest things of all time, to borrow a phrase, while showing all kinds of fight and resolve.
“There is no quit in this group,” Melton said. “I think that’s in the DNA of how we are wired. Regardless of how this season ends, it’s good for the culture – how are winning these games.”
Yes, you could say: I sure would have liked to have seen this in May.
And you wouldn’t be wrong, especially as the Tigers dropped two close ones to the Jays in a three-game series back then.
So, how did the Tigers win this one in September?
They won it because even though Melton was in all kinds of trouble, the Tigers were able to hold the Jays to just two runs.
“Shout out to Beau Brieske,” Melton said, of the right-hander reliever who saved his butt in the third, getting out of a jam.
And they won it because left-hander Tyler Holton was fantastic, holding the Blue Jays scoreless in 1⅓ innings of work.
And they won it because they bounced back after right-hander Kyle Finnegan gave up a three-run homer.
“Oh, man, it was a fun game,” McKinstry said. “We played good defense. Kept ourselves in the game. Bullpen picked up Melton.”
And they won it because they didn’t give up when it looked like the offense had dried up north of the border.
“I was telling everybody, don’t worry, they are gonna come in bunches,” McKinstry said.
Indeed. That's exactly what happened. The Tigers exploded for four runs to take the lead in the seventh inning after Gleyber Torres, Riley Greene and Dillon Dingler stacked singles. Then, Max Clark and Spencer Torkelson doubled to give the Tigers a two-run edge.
“We always follow the same plan,” Torres said. “We were just waiting for the mistake. I got lucky he left a breaking ball over the middle and I got a single. Then, Greene and the guys got all the singles.”
They won it because, in the ninth inning, they did it again, thanks to McKinstry’s wheels. After a fielder's choice wiped Torkelson off the bases in favor of McKinstry, the veteran utility player stole second. Then he scored on a catching error by Jays closer Louis Varland for the win.
Yes, this was another character win.
Yes, this seems to be in their DNA.
Yes, it’s maddening that it took until now for this team to do this.
And yes, the odds are incredibly long.
But you know something? They aren’t done yet.
If they can keep this up ... if they can go into next week with a puncher’s chance – with the middling Washington Nationals and Pittsburgh Pirates visiting Detroit ... well, that would, indeed, be one of the coolest things of all time.
Contact Jeff Seidel: jseidel@freepress.com. Follow him on X @seideljeff
This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Detroit Tigers rally shows why they still have puncher's chance in AL
