Zach McKinstry did exactly what the Tigers needed to win on Sunday, something everyone on the team is ready to do.
Zach McKinstry's Performance in Win vs. Guardians Embodies Tigers Season originally appeared on Athlon Sports.
The Detroit Tigers are doing what all great teams do and finding different ways to win.
Going into the 9th inning Sunday in Cleveland, the Tigers were down 1-0 and only had one hit all game. Emmanuel Clase hit first baseman Spencer Torkelson, allowing Zach McKinstry to come in as a pinch runner.
McKinstry proceeds to steal second, advance to third on a groundout, and make the play of the game in reading the catcher’s reaction to a pass ball still close to the catcher.
As soon as McKinstry saw there was any hint of confusion, he took off at full speed. The pitch barely made it to the grass behind the umpire, but McKinstry read it so well, he came sprinting through without a play, tying the game and making it look easy.
Down to their final strike, perfect baserunning by their pinch runner got them all they needed to keep the game going.
And since the game kept going, McKinstry needed to play in the field. Even being a super-utility player, this was the first time he had ever spent time playing first base in an MLB game.
“I told Tork when he came off the field to keep his glove close because I think Z-Mack was gonna need to use it,” Tigers manager AJ Hinch said after the game.
McKinstry’s thoughts on having to borrow his teammate’s equipment? “I had to wash my hands after.”
They are rolling, having fun and still just as locked in as ever. It can be easy to let the random 1-0 game go when you have a huge division lead in July. But fighting in every at bat in every inning shows to all the players on the team how they act and the attitude they bring each day. It matters today, and it will show up in October.
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This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jul 7, 2025, where it first appeared.
Category: Baseball
