Jahmai Jones
CLEVELAND – Detroit Tigers manager A.J. Hinch talked about pinch-hitting Riley Greene for Jahmai Jones and the team’s putrid display of offense in their 6-1 Game 2 Wild Card Series loss to the Cleveland Guardians.
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“If you look at what Jahmai’s done against lefties, we had to take a shot,” said Hinch. “We needed a ball in play. Now, we didn’t get it, but we’re taking our shot with Torque (Spencer Torkelson) and Jahmai."
When asked about unorthodox strategies like pinch-hitting for Greene, Hinch emphasized the competitive nature of the series.
“The pinch hit was really about Jahmai Jones,” Hinch said. “He’s been good, including the last series when he almost won the game for us when we clinched.”
Hinch explained the pitching strategy to counter the opposing lineup, aiming to keep left-handed pitchers in to face certain batters.
“The hope was to keep it there because in the playoffs, you’re a couple of runners away from extreme pressure,” Hinch said.
Regarding Greene, Hinch said there was no need for a special talk.
“Our players know how we’re built and what we’re trying to do,” Hinch said. “There’s immense trust among all of us. He’ll be ready to go tomorrow.”
Offensive struggles
Reflecting on the team’s offensive struggles, Hinch acknowledged it was a tough day.
“They made the most of their opportunities, and we left 15 guys on base,” Hinch said. “The score doesn’t really indicate how the game was, but we kept giving ourselves a chance.”
Detroit left 15 runners on base and went 1-for-15 with runners in scoring position, a putrid, massive number of missed opportunities for a single game.
The Tigers combined for 2-22 through two games in the American League Wild Card Series, which is why the Guardians blew the game open late to take a 6-1 victory and advance to a win-or-go-home Game 3 at Progressive Field.
Cleveland pitching
Hinch praised the Guardians’ pitching, noting the team knew they would face a strong bullpen.
“We knew they were going to go to their pen early,” Hinch said. “We had to be aggressive, especially against tough pitchers like Cade Smith.”
Bullpen
Regarding the bullpen, Hinch discussed his choice to bring in left-handed reliever Troy Melton for his velocity and to extend the game.
“I love the VLO against these guys,” Hinch said. “We needed to extend the game and get some innings from him.”
Nullified run
Hinch addressed a key play where a run was nullified due to a close call on the bases.
“It was a four-minute delay, which tells you how close the play was,” Hinch said. “McKinstry’s faster, and the center fielder made a nice throw. It could have gone either way.”
In the top of the fourth inning, trailing 1-0, with the bases loaded, Javier Báez came up clutch with a single to center field, bringing in two runs thanks to some aggressive base running by the Tigers.
But the Tigers got a little too aggressive as Zach McKinstry was called out at third prior to the second runner touching home plate.
That aggressive play changed the momentum of the game, as the Tigers could have been up 2-1 with runners on second and third and two outs, but instead they were tied at 1-1, as the Guardians got out of the inning.
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Casey Mize’s short stint
On starting pitcher Casey Mize, Hinch said, “The stuff was fine, but the execution was a little erratic today,” Hinch said.
Hinch noted Mize had to work hard early in the game and used a lot of resources.
“These are all hands-on-deck games in the playoffs,” Hinch said. “Every pitch, every at-bat counts.”
Optimistic despite loss
Despite the loss, Hinch remained optimistic about the team’s chances.
“We just continue to make them work, and maybe it pays off tomorrow,” Hinch said.
Detroit will play for all the marbles on Thursday, Oct. 2, 2025, for a chance to advance to the American League Divisional Series against the rested Seattle Mariners.
But the Guardians have had their number, especially inside Progressive Field.
Although no time has been set, taking the mound will be World Series-winning RHP Jack Flaherty and Guardians RHP Slade Cecconi.