SAN DIEGO – The Detroit Tigers kept their slim playoff hopes alive Thursday night with what was by far the most dramatic moment of the season.
Trying to avoid a three-game sweep that would have dropped them six games out of the final wild card spot with only 21 to play, the Tigers were shut out through eight innings Thursday in San Diego.
They trailed 3-0 heading into the top of the ninth inning, and the Padres brought in Robert Suarez, one of the best relievers in the game.
Suarez was pitching for the third game in a row, but that didn’t stop him from pumping in 12 fastballs between 100 and 101.9 mph.
The Tigers weren’t intimidated, though. Justyn-Henry Malloy began the inning with a single and Jace Jung followed with an impressive six-pitch walk to immediately bring the tying run to the plate.
Suarez retired Spencer Torkelson on a popup, but Colt Keith drew a walk to load the bases. Kerry Carpenter struck out to bring up Parker Meadows with two outs and the bases loaded.
Meadows got four straight fastballs at 101 mph before fouling off a 3-1 heater at 100 mph.
With the Tigers down to their last strike, Meadows caught up to a 100.7 mph fastball and sent it 361 feet to the opposite field for a grand slam that turned a 3-0 deficit into a 4-3 lead.
Tyler Holton slammed the door on the Padres in the bottom half, as the Tigers escaped San Diego with one merciful victory.
Tigers playoff picture
Thursday’s win alleviates some of the pain from Wednesday’s heartbreaking loss. The Tigers jumped out to a 5-0 lead in that game but quickly blew it before losing in extra innings.
Now, they head to Oakland, trailing the Kansas City Royals by five games in the wild card race. They’re also 5.5 back of the Twins.
The next two series provide a massive opportunity for the Tigers. They play three games against the Athletics (the fifth-worst team in baseball) and then return home for three against the Rockies (second-worst).
Meanwhile, the Royals and Twins will square off three times this weekend, meaning one of them has to lose every night. The Royals will then head to New York to face the Yankees.
If the Tigers can’t pull to within at least three games during this stretch, their chances will likely evaporate. They have two series against the Orioles (the best team in the AL) on the horizon, sandwiched around a trip to Kansas City.
Their odds still aren’t great, but the Tigers at least kept the dream alive thanks to Meadows’ magical moment.
