The Detroit Tigers pass the Tampa Bay Rays and increase the magic number to 2

Detroit – Manager AJ Hinch hasn't really let up much in this stunning march towards the playoffs. But he came pretty close on Thursday after Jason Foley struck out Jose Siri to secure the Tigers' dramatic 4-3 victory and series victory over the Tampa Bay Rays.

“Just a huge win for us,” Hinch said. “Especially how the game started and where we are in the season. We know what's at stake. This is an incredible experience and we don't want it to end. It doesn't have to stop if we can keep playing like this.” “

It was the Tigers' fifth straight win and they whittled their magic number down to two to secure a wildcard spot. And pending the outcome of Thursday night's Twins-Marlins game, it could come down to one and they could pop the corks on Friday night.

“I know what it feels like to accomplish something,” said Hinch, who led the Astros to a World Series title in 2017. “And I really want these guys to get a taste of it. “We’re getting closer and closer every day.”

The Tigers (85-74) are 30-11 since Aug. 11. And all the elements, all the hallmarks of that season-ending rampage were on display Thursday. It was her 36th comeback win and like so many others, it was a full-strength performance.

“Yeah, it was pretty even for us,” said rookie Colt Keith, who had the two biggest swings of the game. “We love playing the whole game, trying out the bats and playing until the end. We've done that so many times. I love that about us. We never give up. AJ always says play the whole game.”

“It was a good win for us, especially in the situation we find ourselves in.”

BOX SCORE: Tigers 4, Rays 3

MLB STAND

The Tigers were completely outgunned by their old friend Tyler Alexander for five innings and fell into a 3-0 hole. The 27,867 spectators longed for something to scream about.

“We just didn’t find anything,” Hinch said. “We just needed something positive.”

Enter Keith. Right-handed reliever Hunter Bigge got the first two outs in the sixth inning and Matt Vierling, who manages to leave his versatile fingerprints on most wins, drew a walk. Keith, who had two nasty tackles against Alexander, fired a three-pointer into the right corner and Vierling stormed around and scored.

That's when Hinch started pulling the strings. He sent Kerry Carpenter to pinch-hit for Spencer Torkelson. Carpenter responded with an RBI single that increased the game to 3-2 and brought the crowd back into the game.

“Just a selfless attack,” catcher Jake Rogers said. “That’s what we’ve done time and time again, stringing together selfless attacks.”

Hinch was wary of the four left-handed hitters in the Rays' bullpen. He had to be careful in playing his left-handed cards and also had to make sure he had a right-handed bat available late in the game. In the sixth game, he played lefty Carpenter at just the right time.

In the seventh inning, the Rays traded to right-hander Kevin Kelly, whose unusual arm angle makes him a tough opponent for right-handers. Hinch used left-handers Zach McKinstry (for Rogers) and Jace Jung (for Andy Ibanez). Both batters were retired, but when left-hander Garrett Cleavinger warmed up for the eighth time, Hinch saved his last remaining right-hander – Justyn-Henry Malloy.

“I’ve used him against almost every left-handed hitter since he was drafted,” Hinch said. “We were talking this morning about them having four lefties in the field, and I wanted to wait for him to pinch-hit late against one of them. And he buys in. He doesn't sulk, doesn't wonder why he doesn't play.” .

“He had a specific role to prepare for.”

The eighth inning began with a clutch lefty-on-lefty hitter by Riley Greene ripping a single. He aggressively went to second on a ball in the dirt. After Vierling drew another walk, Keith delivered again, firing a single up the middle to score Greene.

“I knew he was going to throw in a sinker and try to get me to double play,” Keith said. “So I really wanted to stay in it. That was my plan. He threw in a sinker and I checked my swing. The next one was right there on the inside half and I was able to stay in it.”

Hinch was impressed by the maturity of Keith's batting technique.

“Guys often want to play heroes in different ways,” he said. “They’re going to try to hit a pull-side home run. But sometimes just one hit is enough.”

Vierling, who played three positions in the game, including first base for the first time in two years, made the game's base running play. He moved from first to third on Keith's single, although the ball went to Siri up the middle. Siri has one of the best throwing arms in the game and Vierling hit him twice in the inning.

“He always finds a way to contribute to a win,” Hinch said. “It was a big slugfest that resulted in a walk. Again, trying to play the hero is the wrong outcome. Keep the line moving.”

That paved the way for Malloy. He came off the bench cold and calmly threw a fly ball up the middle, enough for Vierling to tag it, challenge Siri and score the winning run from third.

“It’s amazing,” Carpenter said. “What he did off the bench against Cleavinger is a lot better than people will ever give him credit for. This guy (Cleavinger) is a guy. It’s just impressive to see how these young guys put their bats together.”

Remember, it was Carpenter that Malloy struck for. Carpenter has a team-high .931 OPS. He has 17 home runs. And there he was, Malloy's biggest fan at that moment. Among the many characteristics that define this Tigers team, chief among them is their lack of ego.

“I think it’s always been that way,” Carpenter said. “I was thinking recently that there is no ego in this team. Tork gets a pinch hit as good as they come.

“Maybe they wouldn't do it so often if there wasn't so much success on the bench, but it's pretty impressive. I have a lot of faith in J-Hen and everyone else. “Everyone knows we can get the job done.”

The Tigers were founded as a collective and the all-hands-on-deck spirit was their driving force. Hinch emptied his entire bench in the eighth inning.

Casey Mize pitched two innings in relief on Thursday. It was his first ever relief appearance. He allowed one run but struck out the last three batters he faced in the sixth.

Foley, whom Hinch sat on Wednesday night to allow rookie Jackson Jobe to make his debut, hit 100 mph in the ninth for his 27th save.

Vierling started in left, then moved to third base and then to first base. Wenceel Perez started in right field, moved to left and finished back in right field. Ibanez started third and finished first. Carpenter and Malloy each played in the outfield after their pinch hit.

The Tigers are truly the sum of their parts.

“When you get to the park, there's new energy every day because of what's going on there,” Hinch said. “Because of what we believe we can achieve. Whether that’s magic, whether that’s momentum, whether that’s mojo or vibe – whatever, we love it and want more of it.”

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