From jeers to cheers: Javy Báez walks off in style as Detroit Tigers stun Red Sox in extra innings

DETROIT – This Javy Báez comeback for your Detroit Tigers needs to be studied as he is riding the ultimate heater after walking off the Boston Red Sox with a three-run homer in extra innings.

With the Tigers trailing 9-7 in the bottom of the 11th inning, Báez, with men on first and third, took relief pitcher Greg Weissert to left field for the 10-9 victory to take Game 2 of the three-game series.

Although Báez knew the ball was ultimately gone, the reaction of Red Sox catcher Carlos Narvaez says it all.

For the night, Báez went 2-4 with two home runs, three runs, and six RBI, with the first homer coming in the sixth inning after trailing 4-3 on relief pitcher Garrett Whitlock.

The circumstances were nearly the same as Baez hit a three-run homer to nearly the exact same spot as he did to walk off the Red Sox.

Báez came into the game with three home runs on the season, but now he’s up to five while accumulating 27 RBI for the young season.

The American League-leading Tigers improved to 28-15 on the season and are now 16-5 inside Comerica Park.

The Tigers fans in attendance who once jeered Báez were chanting his name as he took shaving cream to the face after having his jersey ripped off of him while getting drenched with liquids.

Báez said he appreciated big-time games such as Tuesday’s (May 13) magnitude.

“It feels great,” Báez said. “The work that the guys do to fight the whole game is really important, and although we played more than 27 outs, we’re going to give it everything and we’re going to leave it out there.”

The walk-off home run was the second of his career, as his first one came in 2016 on Mother’s Day in the bottom of the 13th inning for the Chicago Cubs against the Washington Nationals.

How sweet is that, as we’re two days past Mother’s Day, and he was able to put his cape on and save the day again, albeit for the Tigers, which was his first multi-home run game with the club.

“I was looking for that pitch,” Báez said. “The guy before was throwing 98, and I had good swings, and I realized that I could get to his fastball, so I was looking for that one.”

Báez’s teammates have been talking about how he has been having all year, and it’s starting to show on the diamond.

“I’m having a lot of fun,” Báez said. “Now playing centerfield, I feel great out there, so I’m just making an adjustment, feeling better, seeing the ball better, and working on my timing.”

Look for the smoking hot Tigers, who have now won eight out of their last 10 games, to keep the good times rolling as they and Báez host the Red Sox in the series finale on Wednesday, May 14, with first pitch scheduled for 6:40 p.m.

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