The Tigers nearly gave away a run early in their Sunday matchup against the Kansas City Royals, but maintained a slim lead after starter Tyson Ross danced his way out of trouble. They repaid the favor in the top of the fifth, though. Niko Goodrum made a nice play to throw out Royals catcher Cam Gallagher at second base, and John Hicks threw out the always dangerous Billy Hamilton on a stolen base attempt for the first two outs of the inning.
Sun's out, guns out. #MotorOn pic.twitter.com/PbjlVW8v9Z
— Detroit Tigers (@tigers) April 7, 2019
Hicks’ throw is probably the more impressive of the two given Hamilton’s speed, but Goodrum’s form in rounding and fielding the ball to throw out Gallagher is a welcome sight — even with JaCoby Jones nearing his return to the majors.
But wait, there’s more!
Hicks came through again in the eighth, throwing out Whit Merrifield at second.
The @Tigers defense is on this afternoon! Detroit leads Kansas City 3-1 as we head into the bottom of the 8th. pic.twitter.com/2IFcFwPSEj
— FOX Sports Detroit (@FOXSportsDet) April 7, 2019
Niko Goodrum then capped off the sweep with a diving catch in center field.
.@sagreeney becomes the first player in @MLB history to record 7 saves in a club's first 10 games since the creation of the stat. #MotorOn pic.twitter.com/xnelUIuvjO
— Detroit Tigers (@tigers) April 7, 2019