Victor Martinez hit a home run

At long last! Victor Martinez, the Detroit Tigers’ designated hitter in name only, hit a home run on Tuesday evening. Not only is it important in the here and now — it brought the Tigers within two runs against a shaky Kansas City Royals bullpen — but it broke a streak of 188 plate appearances without a home run for Martinez.

Yup, the last time Martinez homered was on May 19 against the Seattle Mariners. The Tigers were only five games under .500 at that point, albeit at the start of a losing streak that would drop them to 20-29. Blaine Hardy had only made one start, and the Tigers had not yet drafted Casey Mize.