Gage Workman plays hero in Tigers debut as Detroit snaps 5-game skid
Gage Workman swatted a two-out, two-run, pinch-hit home run in the top of the sixth inning to break a 3-3 tie and pushing the Tigers to a 6-3 win.
Kansas City, Mo. — It’s been a long and winding road for Gage Workman since the Tigers drafted him in the fourth round in 2020. He was a Rule 5 pick of the Cubs last season, got released and picked up by the White Sox, released again and wound up back at Triple-A Toledo where he scuffled and ended up off the 40-man roster.
But that same road led him to the hero’s circle Sunday night. His contract selected from Toledo earlier in the day after Kerry Carpenter was put on the injured list, Workman swatted a two-out, two-run, pinch-hit home run in the top of the sixth inning to break a 3-3 tie and pushing the Tigers to a 6-3 win in the finale against the Royals at Kauffman Stadium. BOX SCORE: Tigers 6, Royals 3 First big-league homer in his long-awaited Tigers’ debut.
Storybook. And sorely needed. The Tigers went into the game reeling from yet another injury and riding a five-game losing streak and the worst road record in baseball (6-16).
“We have guys here filling in for a large list of guys who are gone and that’s not changing,” manager AJ Hinch said. “Those guys are injured and they are gone. Focusing on what is in front of you is way easier when you eliminate any negativity from the day.