Miguel Cabrera hit the ball a mile with an out in the ninth inning. Even a guy used to hitting home runs had to admire that one. Tigers fans were busy celebrating the fact he tied the game.
But as much as I want to fete Cabrera for being so clutch, so often, and for taking the American League lead in home runs, average and RBIs -- better known as leading the Triple Crown -- it's really Johnny Damon's night.
All Damon did was collect the 2,500th hit of his career a few hours before he drove the 2,501st hit of his career deep into the right-field stands for an 11th inning walk-off home run. The milestone hit came in the third inning of Jake Arrieta. The louder hit came off David Hernandez to cap the game after Detroit battled back from a 4-1, eighth inning deficit.
Cardiac Cats? Check. Tigers still in first place? Check.
Baseball team that is really, really fun to watch? Check that one a couple of times.
Not to be lost in all the important numbers was how great of an eighth inning Detroit had to battle back. Division-contending teams find ways to win games. Teams in last place find ways to lose them.
Cabrera tripled to start off the inning. Brennan Boesch brought him home with a single. Then Brandon Inge followed up with a triple of his own -- his third hit of the night. (Pictured because I can't find a good photo of Damon yet, though this screen capture by rcpratt is really a thing of beauty, too.)
All-in-all, a fun night of baseball. The Tigers will be trying for the sweep before taking Thursday off.