Detroit Tigers manager AJ Hinch waved to the crowd. He tipped his baseball cap, flashing the Old English D emblem, to a standing ovation from the fans. It was his first time back at Minute Maid Park since getting fired in January 2020.
After the emotions, the Tigers (4-6) buried the Houston Astros — the team Hinch managed from 2015-19 — with a barrage of early home runs against starter Zack Greinke en route to a 6-2 victory. Detroit snapped a four-game losing skid.
The Tigers hit back-to-back home runs in the third inning, courtesy of first baseman Renato Nunez, recently added to the 40-man roster because of Miguel Cabrera's injury, and center fielder Akil Baddoo, a Rule 5 draft pick who continues to shine.