‘The real deal’ Akil Baddoo’s defensive clinic highlights Detroit Tigers’ gritty win in Toronto

TORONTO – Detroit Tigers outfielder Akil Baddoo flashed his glove during his first start at left field in a 3-2 victory over the Toronto Blue Jays.

Baddoo didn’t wait either on Sunday (May 18), as he made his first web gem in the bottom of the first inning.

With no outs and two runners on base, “The real deal” Akil Baddoo put on his P.F. Flyers and took flight to snag the first out of the inning on Blue Jays outfielder Daulton Varsho, stopping extra bases in the 2-0 game.

As the old saying goes, “If some is good, then more is better,” as Baddoo did it again in what some call the best defensive inning in recent memory.

Blue Jays catcher Alejandro Kirk stepped to the plate and hit a liner to left field.

With the ball smoking off the plate, looking like a single at least, and the runners taking off towards home plate, Baddoo ran full speed, made a Superman diving grab, and threw a heater to second base, beating short-stop Bo Bichette back to the bag to get this time turning a double play to end the once nerve-racking inning.

Baddoo, who is in his fifth year as a ball player, has had an up-and-down career so far, but since getting called back up to the show, he is leaving his mark on this magical Tigers run during the 2025 season.

Especially pitcher Jackson Jobe, who went on to win his eighth game in as many starts, becoming the first Tigers pitcher in history to have the team win each of his first eight career starts.

The Tigers won the series 2-1 over the Blue Jays while improving to 31-16 (14-11 away), the best record in Major League Baseball.

Sunday was only Baddoo’s second game in left field, but if he keeps performing well, it won’t be his last.

Look for Baddoo to make his second start in left field as the Tigers stay on the road as they take on the St. Louis Cardinals on Monday.

Manager A.J. Hinch will give the ball to Keider Montero as he duels against Sonny Gray with first pitch slated for 7:45 p.m. inside Busch Stadium.

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