In the season opener at Comerica Park, the Detroit Tigers beat the San Diego Padres. The Padres held the best record in MLB. The Tigers won 6–4 by scoring 11 hits to the Padres’ seven.
The batters of the Tigers played strong. They scored two runs in each of the first three innings. They built a 6–2 lead early. Their hits matched the threat of the Padres’ strong bullpen.
Manager A.J. Hinch saw the challenge from the Padres. He spoke of the Padres’ fast base running and sharp pitching before the game. His plan put the score in the Tigers’ favor from the start.
Keider Montero took the mound and pitched 4 1/3 innings. He gave up four runs, three of them earned. In the fifth inning, wind made a hit turn into a Padres’ home run. Still, Montero’s work gave rest to the bullpen and pleased Hinch.
The Tigers changed the team line-up too. Jace Jung came in for Ryan Kreidler, who went to Triple-A Toledo. Jung quickly learned the field and added a swing to the team. Javier Baez played center field. He met the changing wind as the game moved on.
The Padres missed key players. Luis Arraez did not play because of a concussion. This hurt the Padres as the Tigers pressed their advantage. The Padres worked hard, but the early run lead stayed safe.
As spring goes on, the game shows how tactics and player care mix in baseball. The Tigers plan to build on this win as the season moves on. They prove that strong hitting can beat skilled play.
With more games ahead, both teams set the stage for a clear show of baseball talent.