Spring Training is an opportunity for MLB teams to work out the kinks in preparation for the 182-game season. And Sunday’s matchup for the Detroit Tigers against the Tampa Bay Rays proved that a ton of work is still needed for the Tigers to round into regular season form. This was highlighted by an absolutely brutal fielding effort on a play that resulted in an extremely bizarre home run for the Rays.
The Tigers held a five-run lead in the bottom of the seventh inning when Rays outfielder Kameron Misner came to the plate. Misner hit a shallow fly ball to right-center field, which looked like it should have been caught for the third out of the inning.
Four Tigers fielders converged on the ball, but none of them were able to come up with the catch. And to make matters even worse, the ball was then kicked into deep right field after a diving attempt from Tigers shortstop Andrew Navigato. This would allow Misner to score on a play that probably should have been a single at best for him.
It’s potentially the luckiest home run that we have ever seen in a Spring Training game. And fans had plenty to say about the Tigers fielding woes on social media.
Well at least they're getting creative giving up runs
— Wes
(@DolphinNoir) February 25, 2024
This would be the start of a complete collapse in this game from the Tigers, as the Rays would go on to tie this game and finish in a 9-9 tie between the two teams.
It’s obviously not the biggest deal for Tigers fans, as things like this are bound to happen in Spring Training while each player gets acclimated.
However, it is far from the most ideal start for the team as they look to improve on what was a disappointing 2023 season in Detroit.
About Reice Shipley
Reice Shipley is a staff writer for Comeback Media that graduated from Ithaca College with a degree in Sports Media. He previously worked at Barrett Sports Media and is a fan of all things Syracuse sports.