TORONTO -- Akil Baddoo’s first start in left field since the Tigers recalled him earlier this week put him in the right place at the right time at Rogers Centre, recording all three first-inning outs for rookie starting pitcher Jackson Jobe with a pair of highlight catches – one heading out, the other heading in.
Baddoo retreated to the wall and reached up to take a potential double away from Jays outfielder and Gold Glove winner Daulton Varsho, whose opposite-field drive had an 82 percent hit probability according to Statcast. Two pitches later, Baddoo struck again, this time charging in and sliding to the turf on Alejandro Kirk’s sinking line drive. Baddoo’s slide not only gave him a great view of Bo Bichette wandering off second base, but enough time to pop up and fire to second to complete the double play.
The two plays got Jobe out of an inning that began with back-to-back singles from Bichette and Vladimir Guerrero Jr., and maintained a Tigers lead built on Spencer Torkelson’s two-run double in the top of the inning.