DETROIT — Akil Baddoo’s home runs in his first two games didn’t matter in Tigers losses. On Tuesday, the former Twins prospect’s historic heroics really hurt. He did it against his old organization, delivering a walk-off single with two outs in the 10th inning for a 4-3 Detroit win at Comerica Park.
Baddoo was already the first Tiger to homer in his first two games, but he needed just a line drive into right field for his latest feat. The Twins set him up for it, intentionally walking Robbie Grossman with two outs and Harold Castro on third base to face their former second-round Draft pick.
Minnesota could’ve walked Baddoo to load the bases for the pitcher’s spot; the Tigers forfeited their designated hitter when they pinch-hit for catcher Grayson Greiner. Victor Reyes, Detroit’s last position player, was on deck to pinch-hit, but the Twins went at Baddoo, who entered as a pinch-runner in the eighth.
None of the four pitches to Baddoo were fastballs, the pitches he hit out to the opposite field the previous two games. Baddoo adjusted, taking two changeups out of the zone before taking a slider for strike one. Reliever Hansel Robles went back to the slider with a 2-1 count, this time going inside with it, but Baddoo turned on it and laced a single into right.