Detroit Tigers 10, Boston Red Sox 9 — Báez’s Extra-Innings Heroics Spark Comerica Park Classic

Javier Báez waited until the 11th inning to unleash the swing that sent Comerica Park into delirium.



The veteran shortstop drilled a three-run walk-off homer to the left-field seats, capping a back-and-forth thriller that ended 10-9 in favor of the Detroit Tigers on Tuesday, May 13.



Fans who had sat through three hours of tension leapt to their feet as Báez rounded the bases, a thunderous chant of “Ja-vy! Ja-vy!” echoing across the ballpark.



A night of relentless momentum shifts



Detroit’s bats looked lively early, yet Boston matched every surge, forcing extra innings after trading crooked numbers through nine frames.



Red Sox rookie Masataka Yoshida’s fifth-inning grand slam briefly silenced the crowd, only for Spencer Torkelson to answer with a two-run blast that tied the score at 7-7.



When Boston pushed across two in the 10th, it appeared the visitors had finally seized control.



Instead, rookie infielder Trey Sweeney kept Detroit alive with a clutch, two-out RBI single that knotted the game once again and set the stage for Báez’s heroics.



Báez rediscovers his superstar form



The two-time All-Star finished 3-for-5 with two homers and six RBIs, raising his average to .319 after three challenging seasons in which he hit .238, .222 and .184.



“I was just looking for that pitch,” Báez said. “The pitcher before, he threw me two fastballs, 98. I fouled them off, but I feel like I was on time pretty good, so I was looking for that pitch.”



Báez later reflected on his return to full health following offseason surgery.



“Honestly, I’m grateful to feel like this,” he said. “Last year was a hard decision to get my surgery, and just to feel almost 100 percent and doing what I can do, swing at the sliders out there and make contact, I’m just happy. I feel good.”



Skipper praises relentless mindset



Manager A.J. Hinch marveled at his shortstop’s perseverance.



“He continues to battle, continues to fight and continues to try learning a new position, abbreviated playing time at the beginning of the season to now every day, wearing him out. And he’s all in. He’s an incredible human and he’s doing his part. He should get all the praise for how he’s gone about it,” Hinch said.



Hinch also highlighted Detroit’s ability to win tight games, noting the club’s American League-best record in contests decided by two runs or fewer.



Bullpen bends but never breaks



While Detroit’s relievers surrendered five runs over the final four innings, Alex Faedo escaped a bases-loaded jam in the top of the 11th to keep the margin at one before Báez ended it.



Boston’s pen fared no better, with right-hander Zack Kelly absorbing the loss after allowing the walk-off blast.



Looking ahead to the series finale



Wednesday’s matchup features Boston right-hander Hunter Dobbins (2-1, 2.78 ERA) against Detroit ace Tarik Skubal (4-2, 2.08 ERA), whose 50 strikeouts against a single walk over his last six starts have fueled the Tigers’ rise.



With Tuesday’s win, Detroit improved to 28-11, while Boston fell to 19-20 yet proved it can trade blows with one of the league’s hottest clubs.



The Comerica Park crowd filed out still buzzing about a night that showcased both teams’ resiliency — and Báez’s flair for the dramatic.
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